314 BIRDS 



Like the common thistle-bird, it has a social disposition, 

 and feeds with its fellows in flocks of a greater or less 

 number. Not infrequently several individuals will alight 

 on the same plant and immediately begin a dihgent search 

 search for their food of seeds. Active and of a seemingly 

 impatient temperament, it seldom remains long in any one 

 locaHty, yet a garden rich in sunflower blossoms or a field 

 full of blooming thistles furnishes so tempting a larder that 

 a flock may patiently labor therein for some time, gathering 

 an abundance of goldfinch dainties. 



Its notes are similar to those of the thistle-birds. " The 

 ordinary note is a plaintive, mellow, whistling call, impos- 

 sible to describe, and so inflected as to produce a very 

 mournful effect." While pursuing its midulating flight, it 

 utters a sweet song, which is in harmony with the rise and 

 fall of its onward motion, and is indicative of its sweet dis- 

 position. Its nest is a dainty structure built of fine bark 

 and other vegetable fibers, fine grasses, and moss, compactly 

 bound together and quite thickly lined with plant down. 



PINE SISKIN 



The Pine Siskin, or Pine Finch, is with us merely as a 

 winter visitant. It occurs throughout the continent, breed- 

 ing mostly north of the United States. At first glance tliis 

 bird suggests one of the sparrow flock, but the siskins are 

 less quarrelsome, more dignified, and partial to budding 

 trees or wheat fields. A captive siskin in the possession of 

 the writer shows great intelligence, and eats freely from the 

 hand. His cage contains a large wheel, in which the bird 



