INSESSORES. 423 



received specimens from Port Essington, which, hke their 

 analogue the Poephila cincta of the eastern coast, inhabit the 

 open plains bordering streams, and feed on the seeds of various 

 grasses and other plants. 



I regret that so little information has been transmitted to me 

 respecting the habits and economy of this beautiful species. 



The sexes differ but little in outward appearance ; the 

 female is, however, rather less in size, is less strikingly marked, 

 and has the two middle tail-feathers shorter than her mate. 



Crown of the head and cheeks grey ; upper and under 

 surface of the body fawn-colour, becoming more delicate, and 

 assuming a pinky hue on the abdomen ; lores, throat, band 

 across the rump, and tail jet-black ; upper and under tail- 

 coverts and thighs white ; wings fawn-grey ; bill and feet 

 yellow. 



Total length 5f inches ; bill f ; wing 2f ; tail 3f ; tarsi f . 



There are magnificent specimens in the British Museum — 

 one a male, having the centre tail-feathers ^\ inches in length, 



Sp. 262. POEPHILA PERSONATA, Gould. 



Masked Grass-Finch. 

 Poephila personata, Gould in Proc. of Zool, Soc, part x. p. 18. 



Poephila personata, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. iii. pi. 91. 



This beautiful and well-marked species of Grass-Finch is 

 a native of the north-west coast of Australia, where several 

 specimens were shot by Gilbert during an excursion from 

 Port Essington towards the interior of the country, who 

 states that it inhabits grassy meadows near streams, feeding 

 on grass-seeds, &c. It was tolerably abundant, being con- 

 gregated in flocks of from twenty to forty. When on the 

 wing it utters a very feeble cry of twif, ttvit, ttvif, but at 

 other times pours forth a drawn-out mournful note, like that 

 of some of the other Grass-Finches, 



The sexes are scarcely to be distinguished by their outward 



