The Siskin. 



129 



Siskin would probably produce mules that would be very 

 attractive in appearance. 



Methods of Capture. — In the autumn and winter months 

 Siskins congregate in flocks, migrating from place to place 

 in search of food ; and this is the best, and probably the 

 only, opportunity bird-catchers have for ensnaring them. 

 They can be taken with a decoy bird, which may be one of 

 their own species, or a Goldfinch ; the call note of the last- 

 mentioned bird greatly resembles their own, and they 

 answer to it without hesitation. The same plans and devices 

 as recommended for ensnaring Goldfinches and Linnets should 

 be resorted to. Siskins are by no means shy birds, particu- 

 larly when prompted by hunger. 



Limed twigs, placed in alder bushes where they are 

 known to frequent, have been found a successful method of 

 entrapping them. They keep near fish-ponds, brooks, and 

 rivulets in winter time, and, in localities where such places 

 exist, these spots are carefully watched, and traps placed 

 for them. They will, when hungry, enter the common spring- 

 trap cage, which can be baited with the heads of thistles or 

 hemp seed, a decoy bird being placed in the lower flat 

 of the cage. They are easily allured to the ''decoy bush," 

 and can likewise be taken in the day net. They readily 

 answer to call when travelling in flocks, and sweep down in 

 large numbers as soon as the " decoy " is espied. 



Food and Treatment. — Siskins may be fed and treated in 

 the same manner as Linnets, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, and 

 other members of the Fringilla family. They will eat, and 

 thrive on, summer rape and canary seed alone, but are fond 

 of maw and hemp seed. In a wild state, they eat the seeds 

 of the burdock thistle, wild mustard (runch seed), pine and 

 fir cones, and also alder and plantain seed. In confinement 

 they will eat green food, and appear to prefer watercress 

 and lettuce ; they also show a partiality for chopped egg 

 and bread, and other dainties. 



Bearing the Young. — The young may be taken, when 

 twelve days old, and fed the same as Goldfinches. For 

 particulars see page 85. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cook and Hen. — The cap od 

 the head of the hen is brown, whilst that of a mature male 

 bird is black ; the hinder part of neck and the back are 



K 



