ISO OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



Mr. Thompson tells us that in 1847-48, Siskins appeared 

 at Ranelagh, County Dublin, in December, and re- 

 mained until April. I have never, however, seen any 

 there of late years. 



The song has been written down as " dididlidlideaah," 

 and I have endeavoured to make out those syllables in 

 it. To me, however, it seems rather to have a " creaking" 

 sound, accompanied by a pleasant twittering, as, in 

 little parties, the birds flit about the alder-trees, their 

 favourite resting-place. 



The Siskin is said to be the only bird which will pair 

 with both sexes of the canary; and the song of the 

 hybrids is much prized by fanciers. The nest is found 

 in trees not far from the ground, and the eggs are pale 

 white, spotted with purple. 



REDPOLL. 



Lino t a rufescens ; Sizerin boreal ; Bergzeisig. 

 Lesser Redpoll. 



Bill, legs, and claws, brown ; head, neck, back, and 

 wing-coverts, brown ; chin, black ; forehead and breast, 

 vermilion, and in summer the crown of the head also ; 

 abdomen, whitish ; tail, brownish, and somewhat forked. 

 Length, four inches and a quarter. 



This is one of the smallest birds in the country, being 

 somewhat less than five inches in length ; it is, however, 

 very elegantly shaped, and is such a pleasant, lively 

 little creature, as to be quite a favourite with bird- 

 keepers. It is not uncommon about Dublin, although 



