Tameness of the Pine Siskin. — On April 29, 1888, while walking 
near Oak Hill in Newton, Mass., I noticed two Pine Siskins (Sfiinus 
pinus), about a heap of hops by the roadside. One of them flew away at 
my approach, but the other remained there feeding, and, though perfectly 
able-bodied and in good condition, was remarkably tame. I stood watch- 
ing him some time. After a while I reached out and stroked him, and 
finally succeeded in catching him in one hand. When I let him go, he 
flew oft' to some distance. Before I caught him, he went and perched in a 
bush near by and apparently went to sleep, putting his head over his left 
wing under the scapulary feathers, so that it was completely hidden. 
When I approached too near, he would take his head out and look at me 
and then put it back again when I drew back. The ground about there 
was sprinkled with droppings, showing that the birds had probably been 
there for some time. Was this bird affected by the hops, or is there any 
other explanation of his curious conduct ? The hops were to be used as 
dressing for a field of grass. — Francis H. Allen, West Roxbury, Mass. 
Aok, V, Oct,, 1688. p. £/ Z& . 
