SISKIN. 545 



many, pairs remain and breed annually in or about the fir- 

 woods and plantations of the northern counties of England 

 and Scotland, some recorded instances of which will be re- 

 ferred to. Although greatly reduced in numbers before 

 these flocks arrive in the southern counties, the Siskin is not 

 uncommon from September to April, and is most fre- 

 quently seen in small flocks, sometimes by themselves, but 

 more frequently in company with Linnets and Redpoles, 

 twittering almost incessantly as they fly, apparently for the 

 purpose of keeping them together, while they search the 

 alder, birch, and larch for seeds as food ; their voice also 

 very much resembling that of the Lesser Redpole. 



Although this bird has been known to breed in three 

 or four different localities in the northern parts of this 

 island ; and has been seen during the breeding-season in 

 others ; it is seldom found south in the summer, or after 

 the month of April, about which time it departs for the 

 North ; and I have only heard of two instances of its re- 

 maining to breed near London. Mr. Meyer informs me 

 that the Siskin has built twice in furze, about three feet 

 from the ground, near Coombe Wood ; the eggs were 

 taken in both instances ; they were hatched by Canaries, 

 and some of the young were reared, so that no doubt 

 remained of the species. With care, and some attention 

 to their particular wants, the Siskin has bred in confine- 

 ment with several persons; and these birds are in some 

 request with London bird-dealers, who pair the Siskin with 

 a Canary, and by that means obtain a bird whose song, 

 unlike that of most Canaries, is not too loud for a room. 



In Surrey, Sussex, Dorsetshire, and Devonshire, this 

 bird is seen more or less frequently from Michaelmas to 

 April, in Cornwall it is more rare ; but Mr. Couch, in his 

 Cornish Fauna, mentions having had a young specimen of 

 the year brought alive to him on the 31st of October, 1835. 



VOL. i. N N 



