GENUS EMBLEM A (Gould). 



rilHIS genus was established by Gould for a species which differs from all the other Finches in 

 -L the size and shape of the bill, and in the character of its markings. 



EMBLEMA PICTA {Gould). 



PAINTED FINCH. 



THE Emblema Picta, which is an inhabitant of the north-west coast, differs from the other Finches 

 in having the bill longer and more pointed, and also in having tin- under part of its body 

 beautifully marked, whilst the upper surface is rather plain. The tact that this species has a different 

 shaped bill from the others would seem to imply that there is a difference in the nature of the food 

 on which it subsists, but as yet this is only hypothesis. 



Although since Gould's time other specimens have been obtained, very little has been gleaned 

 of its habits. 



The face and throat are deep vermilion, the base of all the feathers of the throat, black ; 

 crown of the head, all the upper surface, wings and tail, dark brown ; chest and under surface, 

 black, the flanks spotted with white ; centre of abdomen, scarlet ; rump, vermilion ; irides, light 

 brown ; upper mandible, black : lower mandible, light red ; feet, light brown. 



Total length, 3| inches; bill, " „, inch; wing. •_' [ inches; tail, inch; tarsi, § inch. 



Habitat : North-west coast of Australia. 



