242 PINE FINCH, 



feathers rich yellow from the roots half way to the tips, except 

 the two middle ones, which are blackish brown, slightly 

 edged with yellow; sides under the wings of a cream colour, 

 with long streaks of black; breast a light flaxen colour, with 

 small streaks or pointed spots of black; legs purplish brown; 

 bill a dull horn colour; eyes hazel. The female was scarcely 

 distinguishable by its plumage from the male. The New York 

 Siskin of Pennant* appears to be only the Yellow-bird (Frin- 

 gilla tristis) in his winter dress. 



This bird has a still greater resemblance to the Siskin of Eu- 

 rope (F. spinus]j and may perhaps be the species described by 

 Turton,t as the Black Mexican Siskin, which he says is varied 

 above with black and yellowish, and is white beneath, and 

 which is also said to sing finely. This change from flaxen to yel- 

 low is observable in the Goldfinch; and no other two birds of 

 our country resemble each other more than these do in their 

 winter dresses. Should these surmises be found correct, a figure 

 of this bird in his summer dress shall appear in some future 

 part of our work. 



* Arct. Zool. p. 372. No. 243. t Turton, vol. i, p. 560. 



