FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. 315 



revolves with great rapidity, hopping from perch to perch. 

 He enjoys singing in an undertone, apparently only for the 

 benefit of himself. 



In the wild state siskins show a fondness for coniferous 

 trees, and often move about in company with the redpolls 

 and purple finches. It is erratic in its movements, like the 

 crossbill. 



The eggs of the siskin are pale blue, delicately marked 

 on the larger end wuth spots of black. These are placed in 

 a nest of stems, hair, rootlets, and moss, matted together 

 and placed in the branch of a tree, often at considerable 

 height from the ground. 



SNOWFLAKE 



The Snowflake ranges throughout the northern part of 

 the northern hemisphere, breeding in Arctic regions; south 

 in winter to Illinois and Pennsylvania. 



The snowflake, or snow bunting, is the true snow bird. 

 It is a sociable creature, visiting the Great Lakes region 

 during our severe weather, in company with longspurs and 

 horned larks. Like the snowy owl, the range extends to 

 the far North. The food consists principally of w^eed seeds, 

 which they gather about meadows, pastures, and stubble 

 land. Particularly fond of the black bind weed and foxtail 

 grass, they are a most useful bird. In their evolutions they 

 present a pretty sight, and have a pleasant, mellow chirp 

 which is quite impressive when uttered simultaneously by 

 several score of throats. 



The little fellow should be readily distinguished from 



