NESTS A. YD EGGS OF AUSTHAUAN BIRDS. 



49; 



tinge — Ramsay). Dimensions in inches : (1) -6 x '45, (2) "6 x '44, 

 (3) -56 X -43 ; rounder examples : (1) 58 x -46, (2) -57 x -47, (3) -56 x -45. 



Observations. — Dr. Ramsay states ; — " Tliis fine species is distributed 

 over the country between the Gulf of Cai-j)entaria and Georgetown and 

 its noighbourliood, where it is said to be conniion along witii M iinin 

 /ii-rlara/ia (Whitc-brcastcd Finch), Paephila hurntis (White-eai-ed Grass 

 Finch), and P. personnta (Masked Grass Finch). Its nest is an oval 

 structure of interwoven grasses, having an opening at one end and 

 partly concealed in long grasses drawn over the entrance. It is placed 

 among the stronger grasses, or small bushes whicli gi-ow here and there 

 on the gi'ass flats or among the leaves of the Pdiulmnix aijudlicus." 



All early nest of tliis Grass Finch, which I was fortunate in 

 finding at Townsville, Noi'th Queensland, 29th September, 1885, was 

 situated in a pandanus, and contained three eggs. Later eggs have 

 been taken in March and April. 



410.- PoEPHlLA MIRABILIS. Hoiiihron antl Jacquinnl -(259 it 2fiO) 

 P. gov If! ice, Gould. 



GOULDIAN GRASS FINCH. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of .\ustralia, fol., vol. iii., pis. 88 and Sq. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xiii., p. 378. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Ramsay : Proc. L'nn. Soc, N..S. 



Wales, vol. i., 2nd ser., p. 1148 (1886); North: Austn. Mus. 



Cat., p. 168 (1889). 



Geofirnpliicdl Distrihiition. — North-west Au.stralia, Northern Teni- 

 tory and North Queensland. 



ye.tt. — Said to be similar to those of the other members of the 

 genus, dome-shaped, composed entirely of grasses, and usuallv placed 

 in a low tree or busli not far from the ground. But many authenti- 

 cated nests found in the open have been constructed within the 

 hollow of a tree (eucalypt) at various heights from the ground. 



Ecpjs. — Clutcli five ; inclined to oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ; 

 surface slightly glossy ; colour, pure white. Dimensions in inches of 

 odd examples : (1) -7 x -48, (2) -68 x -5, (3) -63 x -49. (4) 65 x -49. 



Ohservatjnns. — The glorious Gouldian Grass Finch is a frequenter of 

 the northern parts of the Continent, and has been recorded as far south 

 as the district of Townis\'illc. It is sometimes called the Painted Finch 

 by trappers. 



How shall I di'scribe its beautiful coat, which is composed of all 



the colours of the rainbow? Rich greenish back, brilliant purple breast, 



and shining yellow stomach, all beautifully relieved with velvety black 



(or red) face and tail, flesh-coloured bill (tipped with red) and feet. 



32 



