INSESSORES. 409 



Genus STICTOPTERA, Reichenhach. 



Two species of this form are found in Australia; one in- 

 habits the south-eastern, the other the northern parts of the 

 country. Both are distinguished by a conspicuous double 

 zone of black on the breast ; and their short and rather gib- 

 bose bills are doubtless admirably adapted for procuring some 

 particular kind of food, probably the seeds of grasses. 



Sp. 251. STICTOPTERA BICHENOVII. 



BiCHENo's Finch. 

 Fringilla bichenovii, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 258. 



Estrelda Bichenovii, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. iii. pi. 80. 



This beautiful little Finch inhabits the extensive plains of 

 the interior, particularly such portions of them as are thinly 

 intersected with low scrubby trees and bushes. My specimens 

 were obtained on the Liverpool and Brezi Plains. As I have 

 had occasion to remark with respect to other species, it will 

 be impossible to determine the precise extent of its range 

 until Australia has been more fully explored. 



The Bicheno's Finch is very tame in its disposition, and is 

 generally to be observed on the ground, occupied in procuring 

 the seeds of the grasses and other small plants, which form 

 its principal food. When I visited the interior in the month 

 of December, it was assembled in small flocks of from four to 

 eight in number ; these, when flushed from among the grasses, 

 would perch on the neighbouring bushes rather than fly off" 

 to any distance, and indeed the form of its wings and tail 

 indicate that it possesses lesser powers of flight than many of 

 the other Finches. 



I was not fortunate enough to obtain its nest or eggs, 

 neither did I ever hear it utter any kind of song ; conse- 

 quently I am unable to give any information on these points. 



