414 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Sp. 255. AIDEMOSYNE MODESTA, Gould. 



Plain-coloured Finch. 



Amadina modesta, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part iv. p. 105. 

 Estrelda modesta, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i. Introd. p. xlix. 

 Aidemosyne modesta, Sing-Vogel. 



Amadina modesta, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. iii. pi. 86. 



I found the Plain-coloured Fincli tolerably abundant on the 

 Liverpool Plains and on the banks of the Namoi, and Gilbert 

 also mentions his having observed it on the low ranges to the 

 northward of Moreton Bay. In its habits, actions, and eco- 

 nomy no remarkable differences were observed from those of 

 the other species of the genus. 



It is usually seen in pairs or associated in small companies, 

 feeding either on or near the ground ; the seeds of grasses 

 and other annuals forming its chief supply of food. 



A nest found by Gilbert was of a domed form, composed 

 of grasses, and contained five or six white eggs, about half an 

 inch long by three-eighths broad. 



The sexes may be distinguished by the absence of the black 

 mark in the female, as shown in the accompanying plate. 



The male has the fore-part of the head deep crimson -red ; 

 lores and a spot on the chin black ; nape of the neck, mantle, 

 and back brown ; wings brown ; tertials (which are very long 

 in this species), together with the greater and lesser quill- 

 feathers, having a spot of white at the tip ; rump and upper 

 tail-coverts alternately barred with lines of greyish white and 

 brown ; tail-feathers black, the two outer ones on each side 

 tipped with white ; under surface white, transversely barred 

 with lines of brown, which arc strongest on the flanks ; middle 

 of the abdomen and under tail-coverts white ; bill black ; 

 irides reddish brown ; eyes surrounded by a very narrow lash 

 of blackish brown ; legs flesh-white. 



The female differs in having the colouring of the crown less 

 extensive, and in wanting the black on the chin and lores. 



Total length 4 J inches ; wing 2^ ; tail 2 ; tarsi f . 



