SISKIN 



iSi 



Siskin. 



The siskin (Chrysomitria spinus), although closely related to 

 the goldfinch, may be distinguished by its yellowish green plumage 

 and black forehead. The feathers lie close to the body, the back part of which 

 is swung to and fro as the bird calls and sings and climbs like a tit, sometimes 

 with the body downwards, on the thinnest twigs of the trees, even on those of 

 the weeping birch. Sometimes seen in mixed forests, it chiefly keeps to pine- 

 woods, specially frequenting those situations where the seeds of the cones are 



large and plentiful. In 

 spite of their extreme 

 restlessness, siskins are 

 confiding and unsuspi- 

 cious of man, although 

 so nervous that a blow 

 against a tree-stem or 

 any other unsuspected 

 noise will disperse a 

 the siskix small flock, which there- 



upon, with a continuous 

 cry, flies near to the ground, and then makes a wide curve in its ascent. 

 Siskins always remain in company during the nesting-time, and are rarely 

 seen alone, generally associating in large parties, or even in very large flocks. 

 In addition to their favourite pine-seeds, they subsist largely on the seeds 

 of other trees, while in summer they consume the larvae of insects, and in winter 

 the seeds of the alder, birch, and elm. When picking out the seeds from 

 conifers, they may be observed to frequently whet their beaks, owing to the resin 

 with which they become coated. In the pairing-season, their lively, chirping song, 



