SISKIN FINCH. 



469 



a male Siskin is matched to a female Canary, he 

 is very assiduous in his attention to her, carrying 

 materials for the nest, and assisting in its con- 

 struction, and, during the time of incubation, re- 

 gularly supplying her with food : the produce of 

 the above is reckoned by many to sing very 

 prettily. 



This species is known in Sussex by the name of 

 Barley Bird, from making its appearance about the 

 time of sowing that grain : it is said to do great 

 injury in Germany to the hop grounds, by picking 

 out the seeds : it will frequently collect in small 

 flocks with Redpoles, and extract the seeds of the 

 alder. BufFon mentions the appearance of this 

 bird in immense flights, once in the course of three 

 or four years, on the continent. It is a docile and 

 familiar bird, and may be taught to draw up its 

 bucket of seeds and water like the Goldfinch. 



