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SUBSPECIES. Three subspecies of Goldfinch are recognized in western Canada. 
The Eastern Goldfinch Astragalinus tristis tristis extends west to eastern Manitoba. In 
the interior of British Columbia is the Pale Goldfinch Astragalinus tristis pallidus, a bird 
oractically indistinguishable in summer from tristis, but much paler in the winter plumage, 
'he form of the prairies, from western Manitoba to the mountains, is postulated to be 
Uidus. However, corroborative specimens have not been seen by the writer. Late autumn 
d winter specimens are greatly to be desired from this area. The bird of the southern 
} ritish Columbia coast is the Willow Goldfinch Astragalinus tristis salicamans, which 
1 s a slightly darker coloration even than tristis, and the saddle of the summer male averages 
p more olive-green. The distinctions shown by Canadian specimens, except in the case 
o the winter plumage of pallidus, are very fine indeed. 
One of the merriest of summer birds. It is a great lover of fluffy white 
thistle and dandelion seed-heads and may often be seen plucking the down, 
cutting off the fruiting end, and letting the airy tops float away on the 
wind. Its song is as pleasant as its bright appearance as it sits on some lone 
elevation and sings “Sweet-sweet-chewit-chewit-chewit” or as it goes speeding 
off through the air in a merry flock repeating a cheerful “Per-chic-o-pee.” 
The American Goldfinch, though a relative of the Old World bird of the 
same name, is an entirely different species, named, as the original settlers 
named many birds, from various fancied or real resemblances to the 
familiar forms known at home. 
Economic Status. A bird of no bad habits and many good ones. 
Weed -seeds are its staple food, and grain is rarely touched. If the House 
or English Sparrows do not exhaust the supply prematurely, sun- 
flower seed-heads are a never-failing attraction to Goldfinches and a 
supply of these along the back fence will ensure their constant attendance 
through the autumn and winter. Insects are taken more or less and some 
fruit, usually wild species, as no complaint is made of any damage done 
to cultivated varieties. 
533. Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus. L, 5. Small, goldfinch-like birds striped with 
olive-brown on a dull white ground, some slightly tinged with yellowish; lighter below 
and a lemon-yellow spot and suffusion on the wings. 
Distinctions. General streakiness and suffused yellow wing-spot. 
Field Marks. Goldfinch-like habits and voice, and general streakiness. 
Nesting. In coniferous trees ; nest of twigs and rootlets lined with plant down. 
Distribution. North America. Breeding in the northern coniferous woods across the 
continent, and down the mountains in the west to Lower California. An irregular migrant 
throughout all southern Canada; breeding locally in suitable localities. 
This is another of the irregular, sporadic winter wanderers. It is as 
irregular in its nesting, both in time and place, and individuals in evident 
breeding condition may be found in midsummer in large flocks of supposedly 
non-breeding birds. 
Economic Status. As it is usually only a winter visitor to cultivated 
sections, and shows strong partiality for the fruit of coniferous trees, it is a 
neutral species, perhaps doing no great good but certainly no harm. 
534. Snow Bunting, snowflake. Pledrophenax nivalis. L, 6-88. Plate LIII B. 
A medium-sized Sparrow, showing much white. In breeding plumage, assumed only on 
the nesting grounds in the Arctic regions, almost immaculate white with black saddle 
across shoulders. Flight and tail feathers black, with almost equal areas white. As they 
visit lower latitudes, however, they are heavily veiled over head and throat with rusty, 
and the black feathers are all edged with rusty ochre and white. 
Distinctions. Sharply contrasting black and white colouring with most of the feathers 
heavily bordered with rusty, especially on the head, back, and breast-band. Through 
the winter the rusty borders gradually wear off and the breeding plumage of black and 
white results without moult. The general scheme of colouring of the Snow Bunting is 
found in no other Canadian bird. 
