278 SISKIN. 



are not acquainted ; its visits being uncertain, 

 sometimes consisting of large flocks together, at 

 others of only a few scattered pairs. In the 

 south it is chiefly a winter visiter, accompanying 

 the lesser Redpoles ; towards the north of Britain 

 it is also seen chiefly during winter, often in very 

 krge flocks, and they are there still more uncer- 

 tain in the times of their appearance. During the 

 winter of 1820 and 1821, they visited Northum- 

 berland in considerable flocks, but were not 

 afterwards seen for several years ;* and as we 

 have elsewhere remarked, in 1827, Annandale, 

 in Dumfriesshire, was also visited by large flocks,f 

 which did not again return, and where, since, they 

 have only been partially seen in small parries or 

 pairs. This partial appearance, on the authority 

 of Mr Thompson, extends to these birds in Ire- 

 land, where they are occasionally seen. 



Their annual visitations in winter were, until 

 lately, considered their only appearance in this 

 country, though occasional surmises were hinted 

 at, that they bred in the pine woods of the north. 

 In 1829, they were observed by myself and Mr 

 Selby, in a large pine wood near Killin in Perth- 

 shire, evidently breeding; and in an extensive 

 wood, of a similar character, near New Abbey, 

 in Galloway, bordering upon a wild muirland 

 district, a few pairs have been also known to 

 breed. In these situations, the nests were placed 

 high from the ground. In one, however, men- 



* Selby, British Birds, i. p. 308. 



1 Wilson's North American Ornithology. 



