PASSERINE BIRDS. 1 59 



Both these Finches breed and moult in- the months corresponding to our autumn and winter. 

 In confinement they may be reared upon almost any small seeds, with a little green food as an 

 occasional variety. 



The second Australian section comprehends the group of the GRASS FINCHES (Poephila). 

 The beaks of these birds resemble those of the Hawfinches, being very deep at their base, and almost 

 as broad as they are long ; the wings are of moderate size, their first quill shorter than the rest, and the 

 four succeeding ones of equal length ; the wedge-shaped tail is abruptly graduated, and its two middle 

 feathers considerably elongated. 



Another very similar race of these Australian birds has been separated from this group by 

 Reichenbach under the denomination of CHAFF-FINCHES {Chloebia), on account of the peculiar 

 formation of the tail, which is short and wedge-shaped, the two middle feathers standing out in the old 

 bird, and terminating in a bristle-like appendage ; the difference of plumage is also striking, the coat 

 of the Grass Finch being light brown, with very prominent lines, of a darker or lighter shade, passing 

 around the body, while the Chaff-finch is of a bright green above, but yellow underneath, and has a 

 broad line upon the breast. 



THE ADMIRABLE CHAFF-FINCH. 



The Admirable Chaff-finch {Chloebia mirabilis) is the species we select for description, being a 

 bird of surpassing brilliancy as regards the coloration of its plumage. The top and sides of the head 

 are bright red ; the throat black, as are the edges of the feathers at the back of the head ; the neck is 

 surrounded by a line of sky-blue, which is narrowest in front, and white on the nape, where it shades 

 into a yellowish green, blending with the mantle, which is of the green usually seen in Parrots. The 

 rump and upper tail-covers are pale blue, the quills of the wings bordered with yellowish brown ; 

 the exterior tail-feathers light blue, whilst those in the middle are dark grey or black. On the lower 

 part of the body the sky-blue ring around the throat is bordered with a broad line of lilac, which, 

 increasing in size, passes over the breast, and is separated from the yellow belly by a narrow line of 

 orange. The female resembles her mate, but is rather paler, and the middle tail-feathers are shorter 

 than in the male. 



This magnificent creature was first seen in the vicinity of Raffles Bay, Australia, but only three 

 specimens were obtained, and no information acquired as to its habits. Macgillivray tells us that the 

 Chloebia Gouldii is only this species in another coat, and mentions having seen a flock of them in 

 the neighbourhood of Port Essington, no two of which were alike in plumage, the greater number not 

 having arrived at their full beauty ; many still retained the black or partially black feathers on the top 

 of the head, whilst in some this part was of a beautiful red, thus making it evident that these two 

 birds, which had been considered as distinct species, must now be looked upon as one and the same. 

 In their habits the Australian Finches are like the rest of their congeners, frequenting such parts of 

 the country as are covered with reeds, and situated at no great distance from the banks of a river, 

 seeking for seeds upon the ground, and climbing up and down the reeds with the dexterity of Titmice. 

 They are sometimes seen in flocks, but are not as social as the rest of their family ; they show no fear 

 in their intercourse with man, and are constant visitors to the fields and gardens, occasionally taking 

 more or less lengthy excursions over the surrounding country. Their nests are described as differing 

 much in construction, some resembling those of Bottletits, being placed among reeds, whilst odiers are 

 built on trees in the immediate vicinity of the eyries of birds of prey. Gould mentions having seen 

 one of these nests placed partially within the gaping hole of a tree that had been selected as the home 



