1921 .] Birds of Macedonia. 197 
Carduelis carduelis. Goldfinch. 
Not seen during the breeding-season, but very common 
for the rest of the year. The small villages situated at 
the foot of the hills were strongholds for this bird. The 
once cultivated patches of tobacco, cotton, and vegetables, 
but now only patches of weeds with a remnant of the 
original crop showing through here and there, always attracted 
the Goldfinches in winter. They drank regularly, even 
in the most severe weather, and had quite a novel method 
of doing so. Small parties would fly to the reed-beds, and 
the birds would cling to the bases of the reeds about two 
inches above the water and drink by bending over to the 
surface. After this they would often alight on the snowy 
flotsam and flutter in the water to their content. A Marsh- 
Harrier attended one of these particular watering-places day 
after day, and levied a regular toll on the birds as they came 
to drink. 
Spinus spinus. Siskin. 
Several seen in sheltered corners of the plain from 
December to March. One pair frequented a small patch 
of reeds near a pond for at least nine consecutive weeks 
in the cold weather. I took some pains to find out the 
nature of the food, and found that it consisted of the seeds 
of half rotten “ blackberries ” which were still hanging 
on the bushes. The Siskin’s confiding habits were most 
pronounced. 
“ To-day a pair of Siskins were feeding in some pink 
ground-nettles only a yard or so from my feet. Another 
little hen sat on a small bush, beside the stream. I stood 
quite by the side of the bush but she was not in the least 
disturbed. I seized a twig and gently pulled it until the 
whole bush was swaying, but still the bird remained. 
At last I took a step nearer and stretched out a hand 
to seize her, upon which she fluttered away.” (Diary, 
17 March.) 
Acanthis cannaMna. Linnet. 
Small flocks in autumn and winter. 
