PLATE X1VIII. 



GENUS DON AGO LA (Gould). 



OF this class of Australian Finches there are two species, one inhabiting the east coast and tin- 

 other the north-west coast. 



DONACOLA CASTANEOTHOKAX. 



CHESTN UT- BREA ST ED FINCH. 



THE reed-beds on the banks of rivers and lagoons on the east coast 4 of Australia abound in 

 specimens of this bird. It does not inhabit the interior of the north coast. 



Its long claws enable it to run up the stems of the reeds with great facility, and it i> ofteri 

 to be seen perched on the topmost parts, which would seem at first sight too thin to bear the 

 weight. 



During the breeding season it constructs of bark a fairly large nest, which is generally placed 

 on a branch of a Melaleuca (Tea-tree), overhanging a pool or stream of water. 



The sexes are the same in plumage. 



The crown of the head and the back of the neck are grey; with a spot of brown in the 

 centre of each feather; cheeks, throat and ear-coverts, blackish-brown; upper surface and wings, 

 reddish-brown ; tail, brown ; across the chest is a broad band of pale chestnut, below which is a line 

 of white feathers, the base being black. This line extends along the flanks. Abdomen, greyish white : 

 irides, reddish brown ; bill, black ; feet, brown. 



Total length, 4 inches ; bill, | inch : wing, 2^ inch ; tail, I | inch ; tarsi, | inch. 



Habitat : East coast of Australia. 



DONACOLA PECTOKALIS {Gould). 



WH1 TE- BREA ST ED FINCH. 



rTlHIS is one ot the many birds from the north-west coast, for which science is indebted to the 

 officers of the "Beagle," one of whom, Mr. Dring, procured the first specimen, which he 

 forwarded to Gould. 



