The throat. faoe, :i n« 1 ear-coverts are white, surrounded by a black band ; chest, white, hounded 

 below by a broad band of black; abdomen, bufly-white; crown of the head, dark brown; hack and 

 wings, blackish-brown, the wings spotted with white; rump, tail-coverts and tail, black; irides, brown; 

 hill, bluish-grey ; legs and feet, grey. 



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



Habitat: North-west coast <>f Australia. 



GEN US BATH I LI) A ( Rcichenbach ). 



f W\ 1 1 E only species known of this form inhabits the interior of Australia. 



BATHILDA RTJFICAUDA (Gould). 



RED TAILED FINCH. 



/ i»>ri.|) at first gave the present species the name of Estrelda Ruficauda, but further investigation 

 ' * showed that it differs from the Estreldm in several important particulars, and thereupon the 

 generic name " BathUda" was instituted for it. 



It inhabits the interior of New South Wales, especially about the Namoi, where it is fairly 

 abundant on the grassy banks and among the rushes bordering this river. 



In most of its habits it resembles the general body of Finches, like them feeding on various 

 small seeds. 



Pace, bill and cheeks, scarlet, the feathers of the latter tipped with white ; upper surface, 

 bluish-grey ; wings, dark olive-brown ; upper tail-coverts and tail, crimson-brown ; throat, chest and 

 flanks, delicate bine, each feather having a large spot of white ; centre of abdomen and under tail- 

 coverte, yellowish-white: irides, brown: legs and feet, yellow. 



Total length, 4| inches; wing, 2| inches; tail, If inch; tarsi, § inch. 



Habitat : Interior of Xew South Wales. 



