The Pine Siskin 



supposed that this loss of color is a protective measure, but rather that 

 it is the result of the exhaustive labors incident to the season. Nature, 

 in that forbidding clime, cannot afford to dress a busy workman in fine 

 clothes. It is noteworthy in this connection, also, that caged Redpolls 

 lose their rosy tints never to regain them. 



No. 28 



Pine Siskin 



A. O. U. No. 533. Spinus pinus (Wilson). 



Synonyms. — American Siskin. Pine Finch. Pine Linnet. 



Description. — Adult male and female: Above brownish buffy; below creamy 

 buff and whitish, everywhere streaked with dusky or dark olive-brown; the streakings 

 are finer on head and foreparts, coarser on back and breast; wings fuscous, the flight- 

 feathers light greenish yellow, or sulphur-yellow, at base, and the primaries edged with 

 the same color; the greater coverts broadly and the middle coverts lightly tipped with 

 buffy white; tail fuscous, all but the middle feathers sulphur-yellow at base. Bill 

 comparatively slender, acute. Young birds closely resemble parents, but are more or 

 less suffused with yellow throughout. Length 120. 6-127 (4-75-5- 00 ); wing 69.9 (2.75); 

 tail 45.7 (1.80); bill 10.9 (.43). 



Recognition Marks. — Warbler size; conspicuous general streakiness; sulphur- 

 yellow markings of wings and tail, most noticeable in flight. 



Nesting. — Nest: Saddled upon horizontal limb, typically of evergreen tree, 

 well concealed from below, usually at moderate heights; very variable in structure, 

 flimsy to massive and ornate; composed of small twigs, weed-stems, fibers, and tree- 

 moss, with a lining of fine rootlets and horse- or cow-hair, rarely feathers. An average 

 nest measures externally 4^ inches wide by 2% deep; internally 2 inches wide by 

 1 deep. Eggs: 1 to 5; usually 3 or 4; pale bluish green, lightly dotted and spotted, 

 rarely scrawled, with dull rufous and blackish, chiefly about larger end. Av. size 

 17 x 12.2 (.67 x .48). Season: March to September, largely governed by altitude; 

 one brood. 



General Range. — North America at large, breeding in higher latitudes, and in 

 coniferous forests of the West, to southern boundary of United States; also sparingly 

 in northeastern United States, and in the mountains of North Carolina; irregularly 

 south in winter to Gulf of Mexico. 



Distribution in California. — In summer nearly coextensive with that of ever- 

 green timber; especially common in the higher mountains just below the limit of trees 

 and through the humid coastal portion of the State; also resident in the coastal region 

 south to San Francisco Bay. In winter occurs sporadically at lower levels, and is 

 attracted by evergreen culture, although not altogether dependent upon it. Casual (?) 

 upon Santa Cruz Island (April, 1915). 



Authorities. — Heermann (Linaria pinus), Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 

 ser. 2, vol. ii., 1853, p. 266; Cooper, Ornith. Calif., 1870, pp. 172-173; Barlow and Price, 

 Condor, vol. iii., 1901, p. 171; Carriger and Pemberton, Condor, vol. ix., 1907, pp. 

 18-19, 2 figs, (nesting habits); Willett, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 7, 1912, pp. 75-76 

 (status in s. Calif.). 



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