Nests in Trees, Bushes, or Vines 



lower breast and belly; wings and tail dark brownish gray. 

 Length — 5. 10. 

 Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States north of SoutH 

 Carolina. 



The nest is a compact cup-like structure of fine grass, moss, 

 vegetable fibre, snugly lined with thistle and other plant-down. 

 It is placed in the crotch of a bush or tree, and sometimes in a 

 coarse fern or a large thistle. It is seldom more than thirty-five 

 feet from the ground. The eggs, 3 to 6 in number, are very pale 

 blue, very rarely marked with fine dots. Size — .65 x .52. 



Thoroughly good companions are these cheerful little birds; 

 their very note as they fly from field to field or from one tall 

 seed-bearing stalk to another is full of overflowing good spirits. 

 Except during the short nesting season, which is usually delayed 

 until the thistle-down is ready for the lining of their cozy nests, 

 they keep together in small flocks, frequenting the fields where 

 seeds are abundant. 



In winter, when the males have lost their bright yellow 

 colouring, they may be seen hanging from the dried stems of the 

 golden-rod, feeding on the fluffy seeds. The nesting site may 

 be in an open field where small bushes are scattered about, or 

 it may be in openings or clearings in the woods where the tall 

 ferns or scrubby growth are to the birds' fancy. The regular 

 time for nest-building is towards the end of June, but it is often 

 delayed until July, or even August, and only in exceptional cases 

 is it early in June. 



533. Pine Siskin; Pine Finch: Spinus pinus (Wils.) 



Adult — Upper parts brownish and buffy gray, streaked ; base of 

 tail and wing feathers sulphur yellow; under parts light 

 buffy gray or whitish streaked with dark brown. Length 

 — 5.00. 



Breeding i?fl«^^— Northern New England, New York, and Michi- 

 gan, northward. 



The nest is placed at a considerable height from the ground, 

 usually in coniferous trees, and is made of grass, pine needles, 

 and fine roots, lined with plant-down, hair, and feathers. 4 eggs 

 are laid; they are very pale greenish blue, spotted more or less 

 with purplish or reddish brown. Size — .68 x .48. 



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