GENUS NEOCHMIA (Homb. and Jacq.) 



/~\XLY one species is known of the present genus, which differs from the other Finches in it- long 

 * / tail and red colouring. 



NEOCHMIA PHAETON (G. R. Gray). 

 CRIMSON FINCH. 



fMHE honour of discovering this bird is due to two French naturalists, Messrs. Hombron and 

 J- Jacquinot, who found it at Raffle's Bay, near Port Essington, where Gilbert afterwards also 

 procured specimens. 



It frequents mostly grassy plains, especially those studded with the Pandanus (Screw-pine), in 

 which trees it takes refuge when disturbed. 



During the breeding season, which lasts from the end of November to February, it is seen 

 in small companies, ranging in number from two to six, but at other times associates in large flocks, 

 sometimes consisting of several hundreds. 



The crown of the head and back ot the neck are black; lores, sides of the face, ear- 



coverts and wing-coverts, crimson ; under-surface, crimson, spotted on the flanks with white ; under 



tail-coverts, black ; back and rump, grey ; wings, grey, tipped with crimson ; upper tail-coverts and tail, 



red; hides, light brown; bill, red. bounded at the base by a line of grey ; legs and feet, yellowish-grey. 



The female differs in having the upper surface In-own ; the breast and Hanks, greyish-brown ; 

 and centre of abdomen, buff. 



Habitat: North coast. 



