THE SISKIN. 187 



THE SISKIN, 



(Carduelis spinus.) 

 PLATE XII. FIGURE I. 



ALTHOUGH the Siskin is not so brilliantly coloured as the Goldfinch, 

 it is a beautiful bird, and particularly neat and compact in form. The 

 male, which a good deal resembles the green variety of the Canary, is 

 about five inches in length, and nine inches across the expanded wings. 

 The bill is light grey, and blackish at the point. The irides are dusky 

 brown; the legs, toes, and claws pale reddish brown. The upper part 

 of the head, chin, and throat are black. A pale yellow band extends 

 over the eye and for some distance backwards. The neck, cheeks, and 

 back are yellowish green, the latter speckled with black. The wings 

 and tail are black, with many of the feathers edged or tipped with 

 yellow. The breast is greenish yellow, fading into whitish on the 

 under surface of the body. The female is a little smaller than the 

 male, and her plumage is in general paler. The head and back are 

 greyer and more spotted with black. 



This species is found throughout tho continent of Europe, but is 

 most plentiful in the mountainous districts of Norway, Sweden, and 

 Eussia. It visits this country in large flocks about September, and 

 takes up its abode chiefly in the northern parts, although considerable 

 numbers have occasionally been met with in the south. A few indi- 

 viduals have been known to remain throughout the year, and to breed 

 both in England and Scotland. A nest containing three young birds 

 was found in Camperdown woods near Dundee; it was placed at the 

 height of about six feet from the ground, at the insertion of a branch, 

 and close to the trunk of a spruce fir, and was composed of materials 

 similar to those used by the Chaffinch. Another was discovered in a 

 similar position near Bathgate: Mr. Weir says it was one of the best 

 concealed nests he ever saw. Mr. Tarrell mentions two instances in 

 which this bird has been known to breed near London, and Mr. Meyer, 

 two others, both in Coombe Wood, in the same neighbourhood. In 

 Germany, Bechstein tells us, the Siskin "prefers building in forests of 



