THE SISKIN. 275 



favourite bird Goldwing, and the Scotch call it 

 the Goldspink or Goldie. 



During winter the goldfinches often congi-egate 

 in flocks, and repair to some spot well supplied 

 with thistles, plantains, groundsel, and other plants 

 which furnish them with food, when they sud- 

 denly alight, and are immediately busy in their 

 searches ; but as soon as spring comes round, they 

 are to be found in the woods and gardens, build- 

 ing their nests, and singing their happy welcome 

 to warm showers and sunshine. 



The goldfinch is very abundant, and is pretty 

 generally diffused throughout Europe. It is com- 

 mon in the Greek Isles, and though not a migra- 

 tory bird, yet it removes during winter either to 

 tlie continent or to the largest islands. The Greeks 

 call it Karedreno. 



The Siskin,* or Aberdevine {Carduelis spinus)^ 

 is scarcely inferior to the goldfinch in its power of 

 learning the various little performances for which 



* The Siskin is about four inches and a half in length. Upper 

 parts greenish-olive, streaked with black ; crown and face black ; 

 winga and their coverts black tipped with yellow ; rump yellow ; 

 tail-feathers yellow with black tips ; chin and throat black ; 

 under parts yellowish, streaked with black; beak and feet 

 brown. 



