I 58 cassell's book of birds. 



graduated ; the plumage is black upon the upper part of the body, white underneath, and very 

 harsh, the whole coat being usually marked with band-like lines. The upper mandible is dusky, the 

 lower somewhat paler. One of the best known species belonging to this group is 



THE MAGPIE FINCH. 

 The Magpie Finch (Sftermestes cucuUata) is a small bird, about three and a half inches long, the 

 length of the wing being one and a quarter inches, and that of the tail thirteen lines. The plumage 

 upon the upper part is a deep glossy brown, which is darkest upon the head and neck, and extends as 

 far as the breast ; the under part of the body is white ; the rump, upper and lower tail-covers, and the 

 sides of the belly are streaked with greyish white and dull black, and still further ornamented with a 

 large dark shining patch of metallic green, situated upon the sides of the breast ; the wings and tail- 

 feathers are uniformly black, the under side of the quills being of a bright grey ; the iris is brown, the 

 upper mandible black, the lower mandible whitish, and the feet black. The Magpie Finch is an 

 inhabitant of the countries in the vicinity of the river Gambia, but of its history when in a state of 

 freedom we are quite ignorant. 



Slight and uncertain as is our knowledge of the AUSTRALIAN FINCHES, it would be 

 impossible for us to pass them unnoticed, for what trifling information has been acquired respecting 

 them shows them to be as remarkably distinguished by their beauty or peculiarity of form as are most 

 of the animal and vegetable productions of that "land of contrarieties;" many of them, indeed, vie 

 with the American Tangaras in the gorgeousness of their plumage. 



The REED FINCHES {Donacola) are recognisable by their short thick beak, which bulges 

 out at its base, and has the ridge much elevated ; the wings are comparatively short, their three first 

 quills being longer than the rest ; the tail is short and rounded, the two exterior feathers being of 

 equal length ; the tarsus is long, and the plumage striped and banded, with a dark tint on the upper 

 part of the body, its under portion being similarly marked, but with a lighter shade. 



THE CHESTNUT REED FINCH AND THE DOUBLE-BANDED REED FINCH. 



The Chestnut Reed Finch {Donacola castaneothorax), and the Double-banded Reed Finch 

 (Donacola bivUtatd), two species of this group, have been brought repeatedly to Europe within the last 

 few years, thus rendering us somewhat familiar with their habits. These birds closely resemble each 

 other in their general appearance, and in their length, which is about four inches. The head and 

 upper part of the throat are dark grey ; the cheeks, throat, and ear-covers blackish brown ; the upper 

 part of the body reddish brown, and the upper tail-covers orange or tawny ; the tail is reddish brown, 

 edged with a paler shade ; the breast is decorated with a broad, light, chestnut-coloured circlet, which 

 is enclosed upon its lower portion by two black lines ; the breast, belly, and under tail-covers are 

 white, striped with black. The Double-banded Reed Finch is found near Moreton Bay, where it lives 

 upon the banks of rivers, passing its time among the reeds, very much after the manner of our 

 Be-rded Titmouse {Calamorphilus biarmiats), which it resembles in the activity of its movements. 



The Double-banded Finch is distinguished by the size of the black spots upon the cheeks, 

 which reach as far as the breast ; moreover, the chestnut-coloured circlet upon the breast is broader, 

 and separated from the light-coloured belly by a broad black line. 



Little is known of either of the above species in their native state. When caged they are lively 

 and contented, but require to be kept in pairs, as it is only then that their affectionate dispositions 

 can be fully appreciated. Song they have none, and their monotonous and prolonged call has not 

 even purity of sound to recommend it 



