178 



AX AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 



377DHouse-Sparrow, P. domesticus, Eur., Siberia, A. 



(introduced). Stat. v.c. houses 



Crown, nape bluish-gray; behind eye, side neck broad 



chestnut band; upper brown; one white bar on wing; 



cheeks, throat black; under whitish; f., duller; darker 



below; no black throat. Seeds, insects. Chirps. 



F. 151. Coereb?'dae,Honey-Creepers,93 sp — 1 (0)Nc.,93 (92)N1. 



P. 152. Procniatidae, 1 sp. Nl. 



P. 153. Tanagridae, Tanagers, 424 sp.— 6(0) Nc, 424(418)N1. 



F. 154. PLOCEIDAE (23), WEAVER-FINCHES, 487 sp — 



59(56)A., 41(37)0., 1(0)P., 391(391)E. 



melodiously, but with a weaker strain than that favorite bird" 

 (the British Skylark). 



Four introduced Finches have succeeded in establishing them- 

 selves in Southern Australia. The Greenfinch is spreading, 

 though slowly. A specimen was recently sent in from Horsham, 

 in Western Victoria. The Goldfinch, "one of the prettiest birds 

 in Britain," is spreading rapidly. It is often to be seen on 

 thistles, for it destroys their seeds. 



The Tree-Sparrow is rare as yet, but the House-Sparrow is 

 already a serious pest, though probably he has not been valued 

 highly enough as a weed destroyer. However, it was a pity early 

 colonists did not take notice of Gould's protests and warnings, for 

 possibly the greatest harm introduced birds do is the displacing 

 of native birds. 



