The BIRCH-TREE SISKIN (_Linaria rubra_) is extremely common in Central
Europe; by some authors it has been described as the Red Linnet,
nevertheless it is so entirely unlike the Linnet, that only a novice
in ornithology could mistake them, even at the first glance. The adult
male of this species is a beautiful bird, as will be evident from the
following description:--The front of the head is of a dark carmine-red,
the rump pale red, and the feathers on the upper part of the body
brown with light edges; the wing and tail feathers are black bordered
with grey, and the wing exhibits two bands of a lighter shade than the
remainder of its surface. The under part of the body is entirely white,
the throat black, the fore part of the neck, upper breast, and sides,
of a pale carmine-red, this last colour being entirely wanting, or
very indistinct in the female. Shortly after moulting, the beauty of
the plumage much deteriorates, as the feathers then become edged with
grey. The young birds resemble the mother, and, when nestlings, are of
a uniform brownish grey with brownish markings along the body; the head
is blueish, the lower mandible yellow, the feet greyish brown, and the
eye dark brown. The Birch Siskin is of nearly the same dimensions as the
Linnet, being about five inches long and eight and a half inches across
the wings; the female is in a very trifling degree smaller than her mate,
and both birds differ from other Finches in the unusual elongation of the
beak, which is somewhat conical and compressed at the sides, and by their
comparatively strongly-developed wings.
[Illustration: SISKIN, BULLFINCH, AND GOLDFINCH.]
Those of us who have been favoured with a peep into the extensive
northern forests can understand why it is that the Birch Siskins are so
rarely seen during the winter in Central Europe; they seldom need to
migrate, the birch-trees of those woods producing in great abundance all
that they require; it is only when their usual supply of seeds and fruits
fails that these birds decide on removing for a time to more southern
regions. Our readers will readily believe that this necessity is of very
unfrequent occurrence, when we tell them that in cold northerly countries
hundreds and thousands of square miles are entirely covered with trees,
yielding the seeds preferred by these children of the forest. In short,
the Birch-tree Siskin occupies the same position with regard to birch
woods as does the Cross-bill to the tracts of fir and pine-trees, finding
in them abundance of food during the winter months, and plenty of insects
during their breeding season; indeed, the swarms of flies met with in
these regions are prodigious, every tree or bush being often literally
enveloped in a cloud of them. We have frequently been told that these
birds will breed in Germany, but as yet no nests have to our knowledge
been discovered so far from their usual haunts. Even in the north it is
extremely difficult to find them, and for the first description of one we
have to thank Boja, whose statements have been corroborated by Schräder.
"You know," says the former writer, in a letter to his brother, "what
difficulty I have had in my search after a Siskin's nest, and I should
never have found it had not accident placed it in my possession. As I
was descending a steep and almost naked precipice near Norwick my foot
slipped, and I fell heavily into a cleft of the rock, disturbing by my
fall a female bird sitting upon her nest, which was fixed upon the strong
branch of a birch-tree, and contained four eggs, not larger than those of
our Goldfinch, and of a greenish-white colour, marked with brownish red."
The Birch Siskins usually make their appearance in Germany about the
beginning of November, and that in very considerable numbers, though, as
we observed above, their coming is by no means regular, and only takes
place when they are driven from their native haunts by want of food.
They usually select districts planted with alder or birch-trees, from
whence they fly over hill and dale in company with Greenfinches, often
passing the night upon the hedges, and feeding upon all kinds of oily
seeds gleaned from the fields, but preferring those of the birch and
alder. It is very evident when these birds first arrive in that country
that they are by no means aware of their danger in venturing so near
their arch-enemy man, but will come down and seek their food close to his
dwellings, indeed it is only after repeated proofs of his treachery that
they begin to lose their confidence and grow cautious and shy.
The Birch Siskin is a restless, lively little creature, and more skilful
in climbing than any of its congeners; indeed, it will bear comparison in
that respect with the Cross-bill or Titmouse. Trees, when covered with
these birds, present a most beautiful appearance, as the latter hang upon
the branches or climb in busy crowds to reach the seeds; they are also
quite at home upon the ground, to which they descend and hop about much
more frequently than any other members of the family. Their flight is
rapid and undulating, they usually hover for a time before perching, and
but rarely frequent high trees, except when compelled by necessity to
rest upon them in passing over extensive and open districts. The flocks
when once united never separate, and such as stray from the main body
are recalled by their little companions with anxious cries. Quarrelling
or strife are unknown among them, they even associate as peaceably with
Linnets and Field Sparrows as they do with their own species. Birch
Siskins are excellently suited for a cage for they soon become very
tame, and seem to rejoice in displaying their activity and skill in
climbing. They are readily caught by the assistance of a decoy and a few
limed twigs; numbers are thus captured, as the poor little prisoners are
often followed by others of their kind who will not desert them in their
affliction. Their flesh is frequently eaten, and their song is simple but
melodious. It remains as yet to be decided whether the American Birch
Siskin is the same species as that inhabiting Europe. Richardson observed
it during very severe winters in all the fur districts, and Audubon
speaks with delight of the tameness and confidence in man exhibited by
those he met with in Labrador.
The TRUE SISKINS have recently been separated from the species just
described, by reason of their long and delicately-pointed beak, the ridge
of which is somewhat arched. They are also distinguished by their short
claws and comparatively long wings, and by the colour of their plumage,
but except in these respects the birds strongly resemble each other.