TXSESSOBES. 419 



Sp. 258. T^MOPYGU CASTAN0TI5, GouM. 

 Chestxct-eahed Finch. 



Amatfima rmrtmiaiit, Goald in Proc of Zoc^ Soe., part ir. p. 1(^. 

 SUyomopUmrm eaalaaoiis. Cab. Mas. HdiL, Tlial L p. 172. 

 Tamapygia eastmuatisj Beich. Sir^. Vogel. 



Amadina castanotis, Gonli Birds of Anstralia, foL, voL iii pL 87. 



This bird appears to be almost peculiar to the interiw ci 

 Australia : among other places * inhabits the large plains to 

 the north of the Liverpool range and is particularly abundant 

 about Brezi and the banks of the river Mokai ; bat that it 

 sometimes occurs on the southern side of the range is proved 

 bv my having killed five specimens on the Upper Hunter. It 

 has also been found, though very sparingly, at Swan River, 

 and a specimen is contained in the collection formed by Mr. 

 Bvnoe at Port Essington. It passes much of its time on the 

 ground, and feeds upon the seeds of various kinds of grasses. 

 On the plains it congregates in small flocks, and evinces a 

 decided preference to those spots where the trees are thinly 

 dispersed and grasses abundant. 



The Chestnut-eared Finch is one of the smallest of the 

 genus yet discovered in Australia ; it is also one of the most 

 beautiful, and in the chasteness of its ccdooring can scarcely 

 be excelled. 



The two sexes differ very considerably in their markings, 

 and may be thus described : — 



The male has the crown oi the head, nape, and back 

 brownish grey ; wings brown ; rump white ; upper tail- 

 coverts jet black, each feather having three large and conspi- 

 cuous oval spots of white; tail-feathers blackish brown, 

 slightly tinged with white at their tips ; cheeks and ear- 

 coverts reddish chestnut, separated firom the bill by a narrow 

 transverse line of while, which white line is bounded on each 

 side bv a stiU finer line of black ; throat and chest grey, the 



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