SPARROWS 
389 
snow and every little weed-top seems to have been scrutinized with micro- 
scopic eye. Considering their numbers and that they come in the coldest 
weather, when they require much food, it is evident that their presence 
must have a marked deterrent effect upon the following season’s weed crop. 
533. Pine Siskin. LE CHAIiDONNERET 
des pins. Spinus pinus. L, 5. Small, gold- 
finch-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 (Figure 472). 
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 
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 most culti- 
vated 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. 
529. American Goldfinch, thistlebird. wild canary. le chardonneret 
jaune. Spinus tristis. L, 5-10. Plate LXXX A. A small, canary-like bird. Spring 
male: bright lemon-yellow with black cap, wings, and tail. Females: generally similar, 
but without black cap; the wings and tail more brown than black, and yellow overwashed, 
especially on upper parts, with olive-green. Winter birds of both sexes similar to the 
summer female, but colours still further flattened and greyed, and almost pure white 
below. The male, however, still retains his black wings and tail, but broadly feather-edged 
with white. 
Distinctions. The summer male, with strongly contrasted black anil yellow, can be 
mistaken for no other species. The female, except for its typical sparrow bill, might be 
confused with some of the small, green warblers or vireos. In winter, the colours are 
less distinctive, but there is always a suggestion of yellow about the head and back if not 
elsewhere, and the wings of the male, at least, remain decidedly black with only edgings 
of white or buffy. Separated from the Pine Siskin by an entire lack of streakiness in any 
plumage. 
Field Marks. Bright yellow, or general yellow and green colour with black wings and 
tail. By actions and form obviously sparrows and not warblers or vireos. In habit, 
notes, and disposition, Goldfinches resemble Pine Siskins or crossbills, but are distinguished 
from the first by their lack of streakiness and from the latter by absence of any shade of 
red, lighter coloration when in green plumage, and white uppertail-coverts. 
Nesting. Nest of grasses and plant-down, lined with the latter. 
Distribution. North America, from southern Canada, south. In Canada, across the 
southern parts. 
SUBSPECIES. Three subspecies of Goldfinch are recognized in western Canada. 
The Eastern Goldfinch (le Chardonneret jaune de FEst) Spinus tristis tristis extends west 
to eastern Manitoba. In the interior of British Columbia is the Pale Goldfinch (le Char- 
donneret jaune pale) Spinus tristis pallidus, a bird practically indistinguishable in summer 
from tristis, but much paler in the winter plumage. The form of the prairies, from western 
Figure 472 
Pine Siskin; natural size. 
