NUMEROUS SMALL SUBJECTS 



our observations, and they are not at all easy to photo- 

 graph. The Spotted-sided Finch, more commonly known 

 as the Diamond Sparrow, is a popular aviary bird, with a 

 certain claim to beauty. Unfortunately, it is not at all 

 common around Greensborough and Eltham, and our ex 

 perience is limited to three or four passing glimpses. It 

 feeds on the ground, and, when thus employed, somewhat 

 resembles the well-known White-fronted Chat. When on 

 the wing, however, prominent white spangles on its sides, 

 and bright red at the base of the tail, quickly distinguish it 

 from the other species. 



The little Red-browed Finch we know more about. It 

 also is a well-known aviary bird, but there is little need 

 to confine it in an aviary when it may be seen in great num- 

 bers not more than six or seven miles from the city. In the 

 Greensborough district its large untidy nests occupy many 

 of the creekside bushes and shrubs. The general appear- 

 ance of the Wax-bill, as it is more generally called, is a 

 warm brown, while a bright red mark appears above each 

 eye. The base of the tail is similarly coloured. 



More than once we have attempted to photograph the 

 Wax-bill, but up to the present without success. We 

 have found it to be not at all confiding in its ways. 

 The outside of the nest is untidy, as has been indicated, 

 but it is clean, which is a great deal more than can be said of 

 the inside. This is one of the few birds known to us 

 which makes no attempt to clean its nest, and the result is 

 not inviting. Quite often as many as seven small white 

 eggs are laid. In fact, we have more than once been led 

 to believe that two birds had laid, and were incubating in 

 the same nest. 



The Chestnut-eared Finch is another hardy and ener- 

 getic Grass Finch. It, however, is not known so far south 

 as Melbourne. Around Bendigo, we believe, the bird is 

 often seen in large numbers. 



Much of our effort and energy has been wasted upon a 

 little bird whose picture we have always been eager to 

 obtain. The Grass Warbler, or Corn Bird, is one of the 

 most remarkable inhabitants of crop and grass lands, where 

 its weird note may often be heard, but the owner is seldom 

 seen. Its flight is weak, and when it essays to travel by 

 air it may easily be mistaken for a large butterfly. Almost 

 as soon as the crops are sufficiently grown to provide cover 



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