THE BIffG SPARROW. 273 



called the Barley-bird, being seen about that seed time ; and in 

 the neighbourhood of London, it is known by the name of the 

 Aberdevine. It often mixes with the smaller Linnets, and is 

 seen picking the seeds of the 'alder, with its back downwards. It 

 is a singing bird, and being rather scarce, fetches a higher price 

 than the merit of its song deserves, though that is soft, sweet, 

 and various. It will imitate the notes of other birds, even to the 

 chirping of the Sparrow. It is familiar, cheerful, and docile, and 

 begins its song early in the morning. It breeds freely with the 

 Canary, and, like the Goldfinch, may be taught to draw up its 

 little bucket with water and food. The latter consists chiefly of 

 seeds. It drinks frequently, and is fond of throwing water over 

 its feathers." 



" I am convinced," observes NEVILLE WOOD, " that ornitho- 

 logists are mistaken in supposing the Siskin G-oldwing to be a 

 rare occasional visitant. Even in Derbyshire I should be almost 

 inclined to consider it indigenous, as future investigations will 

 probably find it in many of the fir forests of Scotland." In con- 

 firmation of this opinion, we may quote MACGILLIVBAY, who 

 calls this bird the Black-headed Thistlefinch, and says that " it 

 has been found of late years breeding in various parts of Scot- 

 land," and opines that most, if not all, of the individuals seen in 

 the winter months are indigenous. 



YAERELL observes, that " the Siskin appear to be much more 

 plentiful in the north than in the south ;" and there seems to be 

 no doubt that some, perhaps many, pairs remain and breed an- 

 nually in or about the fir- woods and plantations of the northern 

 counties of England and Scotland. Although greatly reduced in 

 numbers before these flocks arrive in the southern counties, the 

 Siskin is not uncommon from September to April, and is most 

 frequently seen in small flocks, sometimes by themselves, but 

 more frequently in company with Linnets and Redpoles, twitter- 

 ing almost incessantly as they fly, apparently for the purpose of 

 keening them together, while they search the alder, Ibirch, and 

 larch for seeds as food ; their voice also very much resembles 

 that of the lesser Eedpole." 



113. THE KING SPARROW. 



Fringilla Petronia, LIN. Soulci, BUF. Der Graufink, BECH. 

 Description. If it were not for the beak, this bird might 

 oe taken for the female of the Yellowhammer, so great is 

 the resemblance in form and colour. It is five inches and 

 three quarters in length, of which the tail measures two 

 inches. The beak is five lines long, thick at the root ; of a 



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