PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 71 



digested and regurgitated by the parents. They are at first fed on insects (H. 

 Saunders, Manual). Both parents share in the duty. [F. B. K.] 



6. Song Period. All the year, except when moulting. [F. B. K.] 



SISKIN [Carduelis spinus (Linnaeus). Barley-bird. French, tarin ; German, 

 Zeisig ; Italian, lucarino}. 



i. Description. Identified by the black crown and chin, yellowish green 

 plumage, and striated back and flanks. For some time after the autumn moult 

 the feathers on the nape, hind-neck, and back have ash-grey tips. Length 4^ in. 

 [114 mm.]. The female is greyer, has the crown olive-green with dusky streaks, 

 the chin dull white instead of black, and the underparts all striated except the 

 belly. (PL 12.) The young differ from the hen in having the upper and under 

 parts much more striated, the ground colour of the rump dull white instead of yellow, 

 and with dusky striations, the sides of the head freckled dusky on a dull white 

 ground, and no green tinge on the sides of the neck and breast, [w. p. p.] 



2=3. Distribution and Migration. It is found throughout Europe, but 

 very locally up to the limit of coniferous forest-growth, although only as a winter 

 visitor to the most southerly portions, such as the three Mediterranean peninsulas. 

 It is resident in the pine forests of many parts of Ireland and of Scotland, from Perth- 

 shire northwards (cf. J. A. Harvie- Brown, Fauna of the Tay Basin and Strathmore, 

 p. 114). It also nests regularly but very sparingly in parts of the south of Scotland 

 and of the north of England, and is said to have bred in many English counties, 

 but the evidence is by no means conclusive. Otherwise it is a winter visitor to the 

 British Isles from Northern Europe, occurring on passage in the Hebrides, in 

 Orkney, and in Shetland. As a winter visitor its numbers are subject to very 

 considerable variation from season to season. It migrates in flocks. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Nesting place : usually from 10-50 feet high in 

 coniferous trees. Nest : twigs, roots, dry grass, moss, lichen, lined with wool, 

 down, hair, feathers, fibrous roots. It is constructed by both sexes according to 

 Naumann ; but Mr. Allan Ellison, who studied the species closely in Ireland, states 

 that the male accompanies the hen to the nest, singing and twittering gaily, but 

 takes no part in building or in collecting material (Brit. Birds, iii. 9). A case of 

 the hen alone building is recorded of a caged specimen in the Fidd (1871, xxxviii. 

 p. 3). The eggs, usually 4-5, rarely 6, in number, are pale blue, with a few markings 

 of dark red-brown and fainter spots and streaks of red-grey. (PL B.) Average size 

 of 72 eggs, -64 x -47 in. [16-3 x 12 mm.]. Laying begins in April-May. The hen 



