THE SISKIN. 



517 



] 



r 



Fig. 226. Bullfinches (Loxia pyrrhula, Penn.). 



The BULLFINCHES (PyrrJiida vulgaris, Gould), Fig. 226, are 

 pretty little birds. Their 

 cheeks, breast, and belly 

 are a bright crimson, 

 shaded with orange red ; 

 grey round the shoulders, 

 with black head. They 

 feed on various kinds of 

 seeds or berries. They 

 are easily tamed, being 

 of a gentle, docile dis- 

 position. Their attach- 

 ment to their master, 

 and the ease with which 

 they are taught to pipe, 

 are their principal recom- 

 mendations. In their 

 natural state they construct their nest in the most inaccessible 

 part of the thicket, usually in a black or white thorn bush. This 

 is composed of small dry 

 twigs, lined with fibrous 

 roots. 



The SISKIN (Carduelis 

 spinus, Yarrell), Fig. 

 227, may be mentioned 

 among the numerous 

 songsters which charm 

 with their melodious 

 notes. It is very pretty, 

 although less richly co- 

 loured than the Gold- 

 finch and others, its con- 

 geners. It is neat and 

 compact in form ; its bill 

 resembles that of the 

 Goldfinch, but is more 





Fig. 227. Siskins (Frincjilla spinus, Penn.). 



compressed, the two man- 

 dibles in some specimens meeting only at the base. The plumage 

 is soft, blended, and glossy. 



