338 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF THE SISKIN, 

 AS OBSERVED IN THE Co. WICKLOW. 



By Allan Ellison. 



Having observed a pair of Siskins, Carduelis spinus, near 

 Sliillelagh, in 1885, as late as ]May 29th, I was led to conclude 

 that this species probably nested in the neighbourhood. Subse- 

 quent observation has enabled me to prove beyond question that 

 it does so regularly, and in at least one localit}' (the Coollattin 

 woods) far from uncommonly. I have also noted the curious 

 fact that while in most parts of the country the Siskin is scarcely 

 known, except as a winter visitor, the reverse is the case about 

 here. In spring and summer it is one of the most attractive 

 small birds in our woods, and i^asses into the open fields in early 

 autumn, when both old and young form small parties of from six 

 to twenty birds. From November to the beginning of March, 

 however, it is rare, appearing only at uncertain intervals and in 

 small numbers, apparently never remaining near one place for 

 any length of time. 



On the few occasions when I have seen Siskins during winter 

 it has been almost always on the wing, flying verj^ high and 

 seldom alighting, as if this locality afforded no attraction at that 

 season of the year. About the beginning or middle of March 

 they reappear in flocks, and immediately resort to their breeding 

 haunts — the pine woods. In early spring Goldfinches and Lesser 

 Redpolls associate wdth them in considerable numbers, the three 

 species traversing the pines and alders in company, in search of 

 food. As the season advances the Goldfinches and Redpolls 

 leave the pine woods and depart to their own breeding haunts in 

 the fields and hedges. 



From what I have observed here it appears that the Siskin, 

 although resembling the species just named in habits, differs 

 from them in rearing two broods instead of one in the season. 

 It also builds its first nest a good deal earlier than other birds of 

 the same group. Of four Siskins' nests which I have discovered 

 this year the first one contained young ones several days old on 

 April 29th — a date on which several of the Fringillidce have not 

 even commenced to build. I have noticed many young broods of 

 Siskins on the wing by the third week of May or even earlier. 



