490 



AESrs AXD EGGS Of AV.STRALIAX B/A'VS. 



Obiervutiuii^. — This Finch, of modest apijearante, is kuowu to the 

 dealers and trappers as the Phim-head or Diiulem Finch. The majority 

 of AustraUan Finches have proved to be hardy cage birds, but the 

 plaui-coloured Pluin-head is an exception, and is known as a " soft 

 bird — that is, it will not endiue rougii usage, or is not easily reared. 

 The bird's dress is greyish or drab-coloured, striated or barred with 

 darker marltings on the rump and on the whole of the under siu-face. 

 The only bright colour is a wash of deep-crimson on the forehead 

 (hence the trapper's name, Plum-head). Bill black, eyes reddish-brown, 

 and legs fleshy-wliite. Total length between 4 and 5 inches. 



Its liabitat ranges from Southern Queensland to South Australia, 

 including the interior provinces of Victoria. Some recent authorities, 

 however, do not uiclude Victoria iu the gcograpliical distribution of 

 this species, but the late Mr. Henry MoiTes, C.E., left evidence of 

 having taken its eggs in Victoria years ago, while Mr. Dudley Le Souef 

 foimd it breeding in the Mallee district, 1892. 



Tlie fii-st recorded nest of the Plum-coloured Finch was taken by 

 Gilbert, the ornithologist who accompanied Dr. Leichhardt's Expedition 

 from Moreton Bay to Poll Essington, 1845. 



October to January ai-e probably the breeding months, but in 

 Queensland it would be cUflficult to limit the season, which is there so 

 much reg^ated by rains; the birds may lay any time when the grass 

 seeds ripen. 



403. — iEGiNTH.\ TEMPORALIS, Latham.^ — (253) 

 RED-BROWED FINCH. 



Figure. — Gould; Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iii., pi. 82. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xiii., p. 373. 

 Previous Deicriplions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia, Hand- 

 book, vol. 1., p. 412 (1865); North: Austu. Mus. Cat., p. 162 

 (.8S9). 



GeiMjr<iphic(il Distrihufiiin. — Queensland. New South Wales, Victoria 

 and South Australia. 



Xest. — Bulky, bottle-shaped, with a side entrance through the neck ; 

 constructed of grasses generally gathered green ; lined inside with fine 

 grasses and feathers; usually situated in the upright forked branches 

 of thick bush or small tree, often near a stream. Dimensions about 

 12 inches in length by a girth in thickest part of 18 to 20 inches. 



E<j(j-s. — Clutch, usually five or six; lengthened or j)ointed oval in 

 shape ; texture of shell close and fine ; siuiace slightly glos.-y ; colour. 

 piu'e white. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) -65 x -43, 

 (2) -64 X -43, (3) -64 x -42, (4) -64 x -42, (5) "64 x -42. 



