SISKIN. 545 
many, pairs remain and breed annually in or about the fir- 
woods and plantations of the northern counties of England 
and Scotland, some recorded instances of which will be re- 
ferred to. 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 fre- 
quently seen in small flocks, sometimes by themselves, but 
more frequently im company with Linnets and Redpoles, 
twittering almost incessantly as they fly, apparently for the 
purpose of keeping them together, while they search the 
alder, birch, and larch for seeds as food; their voice also 
very much resembling that of the Lesser Redpole. 
Although this bird has been known to breed in three 
or four different localities in the northern parts of this 
island; and has been seen during the breeding-season in 
others; it is seldom found south in the summer, or after 
the month of April, about which time it departs for the 
North; and I have only heard of two instances of its re- 
maining to breed near London. Mr. Meyer informs me 
that the Siskin has built twice in furze, about three feet 
from the ground, near Coombe Wood; the eggs were 
taken in both instances; they were hatched by Canaries, 
and some of the young were reared, so that no doubt 
remained of the species. With care, and some attention 
to their particular wants, the Siskin has bred in confine- 
ment with several persons; and these birds are in some 
request with London bird-dealers, who pair the Siskin with 
a Canary, and by that means obtain a bird whose song, 
unlike that of most Canaries, is not too loud for a room. 
In Surrey, Sussex, Dorsetshire, and Devonshire, this 
bird is seen more or less frequently from Michaelmas to 
April, in Cornwall it is more rare ; but Mr. Couch, in his 
Cornish Fauna, mentions having had a young specimen of 
the year brought alive to him on the 31st of October, 1835. 
VOL. I. NWN 
