on the Pectoral or White-breasted Finch. 131


finches (. Donacola castaneithorax ).” * It is to be hoped therefore,

that the cut here given, although the attitude is none too

characteristic, will enable those of our members who do not

know the species to identify it without any trouble.


The Pectoral or White-breasted Finch is an illustration of

the extent to which some Australian species, practically unknown

a few yeai'S ago, have recently been imported comparatively

freely. When Volume XIII. of the British Museum Catalogzie

was written in 1890, this species was represented in the National

Collection by one skin only. In May 1896 a single specimen

was exhibited at a bird-show in Brighton, and this was probably

the first time that this species was exhibited alive in this country,

and marks the commencement of its career as a subject for British

aviculturists. Since these first examples appeared these birds

have continued to come over, though only in small numbers and

at varying intervals. The present writer has possessed altogether

some six or eight specimens, but it is curious that all except

one appear to have been males, this sex being apparently much

more numerously imported than the other.


These birds appear to be hardy and easily kept in health

on a diet of canary and millet seed, though grass in flower is

appreciated and should be supplied when obtainable. I am not

aware of any case of this species breeding in captivity being on

record, though I have seen the pair I now possess carrying bits

of grass in their bills, which may indicate the possibility of a

nest at some future date, if all goes well. I must confess that I

have found these birds uninteresting even for Mannikins ; they

are, as a rule, shy birds, and when any one is in sight they hide

away in the thickest cover they can find. They apparently

possess no song whatever.


Gould gives no notes regarding the habits of this species

in a wild state, for it was only known to him, and first described

by him, from two skins procured by Mr. E. Ding of the “ Beagle.”

The Calvert Expedition to the North West in 1896-7, met with a

few of these birds, which were shy and difficult to approach. In



* X may here mention that a Parrot-finch (.Ery thrum, psittacca) in the Parrot-house

has been labelled as Efythrura ptasina.



