PLATE I. 



GENUS POEPHILA (Gould). 



FTlHIS class of Finches are distinguished for their grace and beauty. They principally inhabit the 

 J- northern portion of Australia. 



POEPHILA MIRABILIS {Bomb and Jacq). 

 BE A UTIEUL GRASS-FINCH. 



rriHIS Finch is very often confused with the Poephila Gouldice, which it resembles in many respects,. 



both in appearance and habits, and with which it often associates in large flocks. In fact, for 

 a long time the two species were thought to be identical ; hut the error of this theory was pointed 

 out by Mr. Elsey, who lived in the midst of them on the Victoria River for many years, and whose 

 name is associated with many other discoveries. 



It is found only about the north coast, especially on the Victoria River, where it is very 



abundant. 



Head and cheeks, carmine, below which is a band of black, and below this again is a line 

 of light blue; throat, black; back and wings, green, pissing into black on the primaries; across the 

 breast a patch of lilac ; under surface, orange ; tail and thighs, black : irides, light brown ; bill, 

 fleshy-white ; feet, flesh-colour. 



Habitat: North coast. 



POEPHILA PERSOXATA (Gould). 

 MA S RED < } AM SS-FIXCH. 



THE present species was first procured by Gilbert on the north-west coast during an expedition 

 from Port Essington to the exterior. 



It inhabits plains, being especially abundant near streams of water, where it congregates in 

 flocks of from twenty to forty. 



Its food consists of seeds, and sometimes berries. 



Its note is generally a prolonged and mournful cry, but, when on the wing, it utters a 

 feeble twit, twit, twit, 



