THE SISKIN. 55 



Nestling. (Not examined). 



Juvenile (Plate 2). Male and female. Crown, mantle, and 

 upper tail-coverts buffish-brown streaked black-brown ; hind-neck 

 and rump buffish-grey streaked same ; stripe behind eye, sides of 

 neck and throat white, tinged yellow and spotted black-brown ; 

 rest of under-parts same but streaked not spotted ; ear-coverts 

 pale brown ; wings as adult but inner secondaries and wing-coverts 

 tipped pale buff. 



First winter and summer. Male. Like adult but rather 

 more streaked mantle, and yellow at base of wing-feathers 

 apparently not so extensive. Female. Like adult, but decidedly 

 browner head and mantle. The juvenile body-feathers, wing- 

 coverts, and inner secondaries are moulted in Aug.-Sep., but not 

 rest of wing-feathers, primary-coverts, or tail. 



Measurements and structure. ^ wing 70-74 mm., tail 41-44, 

 tarsus 13-15, bill from feathers 8.5-10 (12 measured). ? wing 67-70. 

 Primaries : 1st minute and hidden, 2nd and 3rd equal and longest, 

 4th usually 1-2 mm. shorter, 5th 5-6 shorter, 6th 11-12 shorter; 

 3rd and 4th emarginated outer webs and 5th less distinctly. 

 Secondaries about equal 10th primary, tips square, slightly 

 notched. Tail fairly well forked. Bill thickish and deep at base, 

 tapering acutely to longish fine point. Nostrils covered with 

 short bristle-like feathers and similar ones at gape. 



Soft parts. Bill dark brown, lower mandible pale ; legs and 

 feet dark brown ; iris black. 



CHARACTERS AND ALLIED FORMS. No subspecies recognized. Fine 

 bill distinguishes it at once from Serinus, and streaked under-parts 

 from C. citrinella. 



FIELD-CHARACTERS. To greater part of Britain known only as 

 visitor in winter, when it is essentially gregarious, and usually 

 feeds in alders and birches, though at times among seeding 

 composite plants. In its restless activity and varied postures 

 resembles Tits. Olive-green of male, with yellow rump and eye- 

 stripe and black crown (female shows little yellow and lacks black 

 crown), stouter build and shorter tail distinguish it from Lesser 

 Redpoll, with which it frequently consorts. Both when feeding 

 and when passing from tree to tree flocks keep up an incessant 

 twittering. Call-note of male, " tsyzing," is characteristic. 



BREEDING-HABITS. Haunts coniferous woods in breeding-season, 

 and nests often at great height from ground, frequently far out 

 near end of branch. Accounts of nesting in low bushes in south 

 England must be received with caution. Nest. Small dead 

 twigs with lichens attached ; moss, bents, wool, etc. ; lined roots, 

 feathers, down, and hair. Eggs. 4-5, rarely 6, sometimes pale 

 blue or else deeper tint, marked pale reddish spots and streaks, 

 and occasionally a very dark brown mark. Average of 72 eggs, 



