4UG BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Genus ZON^GINTHUS, Cahanis. 



Of this genus, established by M. Cabanis, two species 

 inhabit Austraha, both of which are very similarly marked, 

 and differ in this respect from the other species of this exten- 

 sive family. 



Sp.249. ZONtEGINTHUS BELLUS. 



Eire-tailed Finch. 



Loxia hella et nitida, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. pp. xlvi, xlvii. 

 Black-lined Grosbeak, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp,, vol. ii. p. 198. 

 Fringilla bella, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 257. 

 Amadina nitida, Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds, vol. ii. p. 370; 



Amadina, sp. 15. 

 Zonceginthus nitidus, Cab. Mus. Hein., Theil i. p. 171. 

 Wee-hong, Aborigines of New South Wales. 

 Fire-tail, Colonists of Tasmania. 



Estrelda bella, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, voL iii. pi. 78. 



Tasmania may be considered the principal habitat of this 

 species, for it is universally and numerously dispersed over all 

 parts of that island suited to its habits and economy. It also 

 inhabits New South Wales, but is there far less abundant. 

 I generally observed it in small communities varying from 

 six to a dozen in number, searching on the ground for the 

 seeds of grasses and other small plants which grow on the 

 plains and open parts of the forest. It also frequents the 

 gardens and pleasure-grounds of the settlers, with whom it is 

 a favourite, few birds being more tame or more beautifully 

 coloured than this little Einch ; the brilliant scarlet of the 

 rump and the base of the tail-feathers strongly contrasting 

 with the more sombre hue of the body. Its flight is ex- 

 tremely rapid and arrow-like, particularly when crossing a 

 plain or passing down a gulley. It is a stationary species in 

 Tasmania, and probably also in New South Wales. In the 

 former country I constantly found it breeding in communities. 



