PINE SISKIN 



89 



bark or in a hollow of some Canadian timber is 

 the crown of the year to him as much as to the 

 most vociferous songster, and the full recom- 

 pense of all his work. 



PINE FINCH OR SISKIN 



When a flock of Siskins settles on a pine on 

 a winter day, it is as if the sombre, dusky tree 

 burst into bloom, suddenly alive and all 

 astir, with half concealed movements and 

 chirpings. Little fluttering wings, thin 

 as paper, and bright 

 weightless bodies glide 

 and dart capriciously 

 over the bark and twigs ; 

 every brown cone has 

 its bird, standing up- 

 side down to reach be- 

 tween the scales for 

 the seed. They 

 are not confined to 

 pines, however, but 

 visit other trees 

 for the sake of 

 buds, of which they 

 eat a great many. 

 They also flutter 

 down to the roadside for the seeds of goldenrod 

 and weeds. 



PINE SISKIN 

 Length 5 inches 



