_Spinus pinus pinus. Case 2. Fig. 55_
A streaked, sparrow-like bird, with yellow
markings in wings and tail which show in flight.
L. 5.
_Range._ North America; nests from northern New
England north to Canada and in the mountains,
south to North Carolina; in winter southward to
the Gulf States.
Washington, irregularly abundant W.V., Oct. 24-May
20. Ossining, irregular P.R. Cambridge, irregular
W.V., Oct. 15-May 10; sometimes very abundant; one
breeding record. N. Ohio, tolerably common W.V.,
Sept. 20-May 15. Glen Ellyn, irregular T.V., Apl.
8-May 24; Sept. 8-Nov. 29. SE. Minn., uncommon
T.V., and W.V. Oct. 20-Apl. 9.
The Siskin belongs in the group of winter visitants whose coming cannot
be foretold. Some years it is rare or wanting, others abundant, a flock
sometimes, containing several hundred birds. In general habits it
resembles the Goldfinch, feeding on weed seeds and catkins, particularly
of the alder, and on the seeds of conifers. The call-note is a high
_e-eep_; its song like that of the Goldfinch but less musical.