Nests in Trees, Bushes, or Vines 
lower breast and belly; wings and tail dark brownish gray. 
Length—5. Io. 
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 fromthe 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.) 
Aduit—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 Range—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. 
144 
