70 



the rest of the body greenish yellow ; the tail is forked ; 

 the two middle feathers black ; the rest are yellow, 

 with black tips. 



Length 4* inches. 



The siskin visits us in large flocks at uncertain 

 times in winter. 



The female is said to lay dull white eggs. 



7. CANNABINA. ) GREATER RED POLE, RED LIN- 

 LINOTA. Syn. J NET, OR GREY LINNET. 



F. fusco-caslanea, subtus albo-rufescens, fascia 

 alarum lonailudinali alba, macula verlicis pec- 

 tor eque rubris. Shaw. 



The bill is bluish ; the irides are hazel ; the head 

 is light brown ; the forehead rosy-red ; the back, 

 scapulars, and wing coverts are rufous- brown : the 

 breast is red ; the belly light brown ; the vent white ; 

 the tail is forked; the feathers are black, margined 

 with white ; the legs are brown. 



The red marks on the breast and crown often dis- 

 appear entirely ; when this bird has been described 

 as a different species, namely, the grey linnet, we 

 are aware that many yet consider them as distinct, 

 and have mentioned the colour of the eggs as a sure 

 criterion ; from constant observation, however, we 

 cannot without further proof change our opinion. 



The female wants the red on the head. 



