270 THE SISKIN. 



coverts are green ; the larger edged with yellow, which pro- 

 duces stripes of the same colour. The tail is forked ; yellow 

 near the root, and the rest with the whole of the two centre 

 feathers black . 



The plumage of the female is in general paler ; the head 

 and back are greyer, and more spotted with black ; the throat 

 and the sides are whitish ; the breast and the neck white, 

 marked with green and black ; the feet greyish brown. 



The male generally loses the black of the throat in the 

 second year ; and for the most part, the older he is, the greener, 

 yellower, and therefore handsomer, he becomes. There are 

 also varieties of this bird black, white, and speckled Siskins 

 Some years ago I shot one, in which the breast was quite 

 black. 



Habitat. The Siskin is found throughout Europe, and is 

 very common in Germany, where it remains during the win- 

 ter. It does not, however, confine itself to one place, but flies 

 about in search of food. It may either be confined in a small 

 cage, like that of the Chaffinch, or left to range the room. 



Food. In summer the Siskin feeds on the seeds of the fir 

 and pine ; in autumn, of the hop thistle and burdock ; and in 

 winter, of the alder, as well as on the buds of trees. 



In a cage, it may be fed on poppy seed, with which a little 

 crushed hemp seed may be occasionally mixed. If, however, 

 it be allowed to range the room, it is content with the first 

 universal paste. It is a very greedy bird, and although so 

 small, eats more than a Chaffinch ; perching all day if kept 

 with other birds on the seed box, and fighting with all that 

 approach it. It is also a great diver, yet, though wanting a 

 constantly fresh supply of water, rarely bathes, but contents 

 itself with spirting it over its feathers with its beak. The 

 operation is frequently followed by a careful combing and 

 arrangement of its plumage. 



Breeding. The old story that the Siskin's nest has never 

 been seen, has long been exploded among us. It prefers 

 building in forests of pine or fir, and places its nest on the 

 highest bough of one of these trees, or sometimes on the branch 

 of the alder. It is fastened to the branch with spider's webs, 

 coral-moss, and threads from the cocoons of various insects : 

 and is cleverly constructed of these materials, woven together 

 with small twigs, and lined with very fine roots. The female 



