200 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. — Also called Chestnut Finch, Bullfinch, Barley-bird, and 
Barley Sparrow. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting reed-beds and 
grass-lands, chiefly of the coastal districts. It is generally seen near or on 
the ground, feeding on the seeds of grasses and other plants. During the 
late autumn and winter months, when it congregates in large flocks, it does 
considerable damage to crops. 
Nest. — A bulky, oval structure, with a long spout-like entrance, com- 
posed of dried grasses, plant-stalks, and tendrils ; lined with finer grasses 
and other soft materials. Generally placed in a low bush, often one 
entangled with vines, in a tuft of tall grass, or among a growth of tall 
weeds. 
Eggs. — Four to eight, white. Breeding-season: usually July to 
December, often as late as April. 
13. Gouldian Finch Poephila gouldice Gould — 13A. Female. 13B. 
Red-headed phase (male). 
Po-e-pJnl-a — Gk, poe, grass ; Gk, philos, fond of : gouldice— in honour of 
the wife of John Gould. 
Distribution . — Tropical northern Australia. 
N otes. — Also called Painted Finch and Purple-breasted Finch. 
Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting open country, dry ridges where 
spinifex flourishes, or grass-lands bordering watercourses. It usually 
feeds on or near the ground on the seeds of grasses and other plants, often 
far from water, which it visits at dusk. There is a phase with a golden 
yellow head as well as the two pictured. 
Nest. — A bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses; placed 
in a variety of situations— in tall grass, bush, a small tree, or in the hollow 
limb of a tree. 
Eggs. — Five to eight, white. Breeding-season : August to December, 
and some seasons as late as March, April, and May. 
14. Masked Finch Poephila personata Gould 
per-sd-na-ta — L., personatus, masked. 
Distribution. — Tropical northern Australia. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting grass-lands bordering 
watercourses. It is generally seen feeding either on or near the ground, 
principally on the seeds of grasses and other plants. When in flight it 
utters a feeble call-note, “Twit-twit-twit, 1 ” and at other times a drawn-out, 
mournful note. 
Nest. — A bulky, bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses ; 
lined with feathers and small pieces of charcoal about the size o f its eggs. 
Generally built in grass, near or upon the ground, sometimes in a small 
tree or bush. 
Eggs. — Five or six, white, which soon become discoloured through 
contact with pieces of charcoal. Breeding-season: August to December, 
and often as late as April, May, and June. 
