278 
SISKIN. 
are not acquainted ; its visits being uncertain, 
sometimes consisting of large flocks together, at 
others of only a few scattered pairs. In the 
south it is chiefly a winter visiter, accompanying 
the lesser Redpoles ; towards the north of Britain 
it is also seen chiefly during winter, often in very 
large flocks, and they are there still more uncer- 
tain in the times of their appearance. During the 
winter of 1820 and 1821, they visited Northum- 
berland in considerable flocks, but were not 
afterwards seen for several years ;* and as we 
have elsewhere remarked, in 1827, Annandale, 
in Dumfriesshire, was also visited by large flocks, f 
which did not again return, and where, since, they 
have only been partially seen in small parties or 
pairs. This partial appearance, on the authority 
of Mr Thompson, extends to these birds in Ire- 
land, where they are occasionally seen. 
Their annual visitations in winter were, until 
lately, considered their only appearance in this 
country, though occasional surmises were hinted 
at, that they bred in the pine woods of the north. 
In 1829, they were observed by myself and Mr 
Selby, in a large pine wood near Killin in Perth- 
shire, evidently breeding; and in an extensive 
wood, of a similar character, near New Abbey, 
in Galloway, bordering upon a wild muirland 
district, a few pairs have been also known to 
breed. In these situations, the nests were placed 
high from the ground. In one, however, men- 
* Selby, British Birds, i. p. 308. 
1 Wilson’s North American Ornithology. 
