62 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 
a succeeding page, which in some respects bears a considerable resemblance to 
Steganophora. No members of the finch tribe, however, as so far observed and described, 
would seem to possess any approach to so varied a répertoire of song and dance as 
do the Gouldian species, which, added to their marvellously brilliant colourmg and 
merry sociable habits, qualifies them for occupying a foremost rank in the estimation 
of all bird-fanciers. 
Some highly interesting examples of the dancing of birds other than finches are 
recorded in W. H. Hudson’s fascinating book “The Naturalist in La Plata.” The per- 
formances there chronicled are, however, chiefly associated with larger birds, such as Rails, 
Pheasants, and Lapwings, and a number of individuals mostly acting in concert. Quoting, 
however, another author's treatise, Mr. Bigg-Wither’s “Pioneering in South Brazil,” 
Mr. Hudson’s volume makes reference to a small bird of the size of a tom-tit, with 
blue plumage and a red top-knot, known to the natives as the “dancing bird.” It 
assembles in flocks on the ground and adjacent shrubs, and, while one warbles, all the 
others keep time with wings and feet in a kind of dance, at the same time twittering 
an accompaniment. There can be but little doubt that the dancing performances of the 
Poephile here described are, to a large extent, purely sportive, and indulged in for their 
individual amusement, quite independently of the mating season or any inherent desire to 
commend themselves, from an esthetic point of view, to the notice of the female members 
of the flock. As stated in a previous paragraph, these finches can now be almost 
always obtained in London at the leading dealers, so that any interested in this 
subject can readily obtain specimens and observe for themselves. To keep these 
little tropical finches in health, it is, of course, desirable to make provision against 
their being exposed to too low a temperature, and more especially against draughts ; 
while, in order to witness the interesting phenomena here recorded of them to full 
advantage, it is essential that they should be allowed abundant liberty. The accom- 
modation provided for the author’s specimens, and under which they have thriven 
remarkably well, is the free run of his study, a sunny, well-lit room ‘some eighteen 
feet by twelve, and eleven high, in which abundant provision for fresh air and 
ventilation is imsured by the fitting of movable wire-netting screens to the window- 
sashes. Perches and other congenial playing and resting objects are placed for the 
birds on the top of two book cases, including, among other items, several hollow 
cork-bark cylinders, within which one pair has already commenced to build a nest. 
A couple of small cages being kept on the table with open doors with supplies 
of food and water and shell sand, they repair to these systematically for their 
