SPINUS.
Bill pointed as in "Carduelis"; colours green and yellow.
Spinus spinus (L.). Siskin. Fr. Tarin ; Ger. Zeisig ; Lucarino ; Swed. Gronsiska.
d adult. Above green, faintly streaked ; rump yellow ; crown black (tipped with grey in winter) ; beneath, chin black, eyebrow and breast yellow, abdomen white, flanks yellowish streaked brown, under wing coverts and axillaries yellow. Bill flesh coloured with black tip. Legs and feet brown. Wing 70-73, 9 68-71. Tarsus 14-16. Bill 8-9. 9 has no black on crown ; above greyish green with broader streaks ; nape yellow, rump yellow streaked ; beneath, whitish tinged yellow on breast.
Breeds.—Scandinavia to 67' N., Finland, N. and C. Russia, British Isles, C. Europe south to Pyrenees and Italian Alps ; Caucasus and in Asia. Migratory ; occurs in winter irregularly in Mediterranean countries and in Egypt and N.W. Africa ; also in East south to China.
Spinus citrinella citrinella (L.). CITRIL FINCH. Fr. Venturon Ger. Zitronenzeisig ; Pa/. Venturone.
6 adult. Yellowish green, narrowly streaked, greyish on mantle ; nape and sides of neck bluish grey ; wing coverts brown with broad yellow green tips forming a bar. Bill horn brown, lighter below. Legs and feet brown. Wing .3' 75-79, 9 73-76 (W.). Tarsus 13-15. Bill 7-S. Q more brownish grey with less yellow. Young browner, rump paler, wing bar yellow buff, beneath bully with white streaks.
of France, Austria, Hungary, Germany (Black Forest), N. Italy, Spain, Greece. In winter occurs irregularly C. and S. Italy.
S. citrinella corsicana (Koenig). Mantle brown, streaked, no grey tinge, rump greener, and forehead more brilliant ; yellower beneath.
; of doubtful occurrence mainland Italy.