272 THE SISKIN. 



of alarm if any one approaches. It may be taught to draw 

 water, and many tricks of a similar character ; and in winter 

 may be trained to come and go, by placing the cage outside 

 the window, and strewing poppy and hemp seed before the 

 open door. It generally comes back, and brings several com- 

 rades with it. It is hardly prudent to let it loose in March, 

 September, or October, which are the seasons for wandering ; 

 though instances have been known, in which trained birds, 

 which have been let loose, have returned after a very consider- 

 able interval of time. 



ADDITIONAL. The Siskin Finch, or Aberdevine, as it is fre- 

 quently called, is somewhat larger than the Goldfinch, and not 

 so compact in appearance, nor are its plumes so beautifully marked 

 and tinted. With us, according to MUDIE, " it cannot be con- 

 sidered a very rare bird, because it is met with in many parts of 

 Britain, though seldom, if ever, in the extreme north ; and when 

 it does appear, it is not in solitary straggling individuals, but in 

 flocks, or at least in packs ; but as little can it be considered as a 

 regular winter visitant, having an equatorial migration, and in 

 consequence of that, appearing and disappearing at nearly the 

 same times every year. Its migration is rather a migration in 

 longitude, and an involuntary one, produced by the winds, which 

 waft the birds to different parts of the country at different times 

 of the year, according to their direction, their intensity, their con- 

 tinuance, and probably whether they be or not accompanied by 

 falls of snow on the continent. In no instance have they been 

 observed so early in the season as our regular autumnal birds, 

 which are known to breed within the arctic circle in the western 

 part of the continent. They are said to make their appearance 

 in flocks in the lower parts of Germany, about the same time of 

 the year at which our grain-eating birds leave the wilds, and 

 flock on the cultivated fields ; but with us they appear conside- 

 rably later, and sometimes not till the summer birds have begun 

 to arrive. Analogy would lead us to the conclusion that they 

 breed with us, but that, like the Hawfinches, they hide them- 

 selves in the depths of the southern forests at that time ; but 

 with us, their history, in a state of nature, is very imperfect. 

 They are chiefly known as Cage-birds, and as such they are es- 

 teemed for their beauty, their docility, their healthiness, their 

 song, and the readiness by which they produce a mixed breed 

 either way, with the Canary Finches. Their song is not unplea- 

 sant ; it bears some resemblance to that of the Canary, but it is 

 less powerful." 



BOLTON says, that " in the southern countries it is generally 



