|S() A'E.Vr.S' AND EGGS OF AUSTKATJAN BIRDS. 



plants ; lined inside somewhat sparingl)' with fine grasses and fur or 

 feathers. Usually situated in thickly-foliaged tree or bush. Dimensions 

 about 12 inches in length by 18 inches in circumference round thickest 

 part of the body. 



Eggs. — Clutch, five to seven, occasionally eight; long oval oi 

 lengthened in form ; texture of shell fine ; surface without gloss ; 

 colour, pvire white. Dimensions in inches of a full clutch : (1) '75 x '53, 

 (2) ■75x-52, (3) •73x-51, (4) •72x-rDl, (5) -71 x -52, (6) -69 x -52, 

 (7) •G9x-49. 



Ohservatioii!!. — This pretty bird ha,s its upper surface, including wings 

 and tail, coloured brownish-olive ; the underneath parts are grey, 

 beautifully crossed with lines of black ; the rump and base tail feathers 

 are of shining scarlet. The bill is red or crimson, feet flesh-coloured, 

 eyes dark-brown, surrounded with light bluish eyelashes. Total length 

 of an adult specimen, 4| inches. 



Tiie principal habitat of this fine Finch is Tasmania and some of 

 the islands in Bass Strait, especially Kent Group and Flinders Island, 

 where during the expeditions of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria 

 the birds were noticed in small famihes. Their singular plaintive note 

 always attracted attention, and when on the wing the brilliant scarlet 

 coloiuing of the nunp was most striking to the eye. They appeared 

 partial to the dense scrub and herbage near springs or watercourses, 

 and would now and again dart up into a sapling or on to a dead twig, 

 thus displaying their pretty figures. Gould, who first described the 

 nest and eggs, states the Fire-tailed Finch breeds from September to 

 January, during which period it rears two or three broods ; but on 

 Kent Group, diuing our visit, 1890, we observed they were only 

 building in the upper forks of tea-tree (Mdnleiirn ) in November. Tlie 

 nests had, interwoven with the gi-a.ss, portions of the red-flowering 

 epacris, orchid stems, and pine branchlets. 



At rare intervals I have noticed this Finch in secluded low scrubby 

 gullies near the ba«e of the Dandenongs. In years gone by it used to 

 be found in the neighboui'hood of Mordialloc, and was known as the 

 Guinea Hen Finch. 



Mr. John W. Mellor lias found this Finch breeding as far west as 

 the Lakes Alexandrina and Albert district. South Australia. 



Breeding months September ( ? November) to January or February. 



394. — ZoN.a:GiNTHUs ocul.\tus, Quoy and Gaim.Trd. — (250) 

 RED-EARED FINCH. 



Figiir,'. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iii., pi. 79. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xiii., p. 294. 

 Prcviom Description of Eggs. — Campbell : I'roc. Roy. ,Soc., Victoria, 

 new ser., vol. iii., p. j (1890). 



Geognrpldrn' Dktrihution. — West Australia. 



