BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 231 



nally of various pliant plant substances, and lined inside with downy 

 materials chiefly of a vegetable character ; it is placed usually in the 

 crotch of a small tree in the orchard, garden, or along the roadside. I 

 have mostly found their nests, in the vicinity of West Chester, in small 

 hickory and maple trees. Eggs commonly five, white, with faint blue- 

 ish tint, .66 by .50. This Goldfinch, particularized by naturalists as 

 tristis, from its low and plaintive notes, is known by a number of com- 

 mon names which have reference either to his color or the seeds, etc., 

 of plants on which he feeds. These birds subsist mainly on vegetable 

 materials, particularly different kinds of small seeds of grasses, weeds, 

 cultivated flowers, etc. The Salad-bird, like the Crimson Finch, is fond 

 of feasting on the blossoms of apple, cherry and maple trees ; the seeds 

 of the dandelion, thistle and sunflower enter largely into his bill of 

 fare. During the summer months, especially when they have young, 

 the food consists principally of insects, such as small beetles, plant-lice, 

 different species of flies and small grasshoppers ; also small larvae. 



Spinus pinus (WiLS.). 



Pine Siskin ; Pine Finch. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 31. Fig. 2). 



Bill very acute ; bill, feet and iris brown ; tail forked ; above brownish-olive ; be- 

 neath whitish, feathers streaked with dusky ; concealed bases of tail feathers and 

 quills, together with their inner edges, sulphur-yellow ; outer edges of quills and 

 tail feathers yellowish-green ; two brownish-white bands on the wing ; a bright Bel- 

 low spot in some specimens back of posterior wing-band. 



Young. Similar to adults but more rusty-brown. Length about 4.80 inches ; ex- 

 tent about 8.75 inches. 



Habitat. North America generally, breeding mostly north of the United States 

 and in the Rocky mountain region ; in winter south to the Gulf states and Mexico. 



The Pine Finch is a common winter resident in Pennsylvania. It ar- 

 rives in this region early in October and departs usually in April. 

 These birds are found mostly in flocks of twenty to thirty each ; often- 

 times solitary individuals or pairs are seen in company with snowbirds 

 and different species of sparrows. As its specific name would indicate 

 it delights especially to dwell in pine forests. They feed on small seeds, 

 cones of different pines, small berries, some few insects, and also, to a 

 small extent, on buds of maple and other trees. I have, several times 

 during the summer months, seen Pine Finches in the mountainous 

 regions of our state where, I have no doubt, some every season rear 

 their young. Prof. August Kock informs me that this species occasion- 

 ally at least, if not regularly, breeds in the mountainous districts of 

 Lycoming county. 



