PLATE XXV111 
BIRDS OF THE REED-BEDS AND GRASS-LANDS 
1. Black-ringed Finch Steganopleura annulosa Gould 
Steg-an-o-pleur'-a— Gk, steganos, covered; Gk, pleura, side: an-nu-ld'-sa 
—L., annulosus, ringed. 
distribution. North-western Australia and Northern Territory. 
notes. Also called Black-rumped Double-bar. Usually in pairs or 
flocks, frequenting grass lands bordering watercourses. It is generally 
seen in tall grass or low thickets. It has a few notes which are uttered 
in an undertone. Food: seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants. 
nest. A bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses; lined 
with finer materials. Generally placed in an exposed situation in a 
low bush. 
eggs. Four to six, white. Breeding-season: February to June, and 
July to December. 
2. Banded Finch Steganopleura bichenovii Vigors and Horsfield 
bichenovii-1Mche.no, a secretary of the Linnean Society, London, 1826. 
distribution. Tropical northern Australia to New South Wales. 
notes. Also called Double-bar, White-rumped Double-bar, White- 
rumped Banded Finch, Owl-faced Finch, and Bicheno’s Finch. Usually 
in pairs or flocks, frequenting grass lands bordering watercourses and 
plains, particularly those intersected with low scrubby bushes. It is a 
friendly bird and is generally seen feeding on the seeds of grasses and 
other plants, and also on figs and berries. Its song is very like that of 
the Black-ringed Finch. 
nest. A bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses; lined 
with feathers and other soft materials. Generally built in a small bush 
or in tall grass. 
eggs. Four to eight, white. Breeding-season: under normal con¬ 
ditions, July to December. 
3. Zebra Finch Taniopygia castanotis Gould—3A. Female 
Tatn'-i-o-pyg'-i-a-Gk, tainia, band; Gk, pyge, rump, tail: cas-tan-dt'-is- 
Gk, castanon, chestnut; Gk, otos, genitive of ous, ear. 
distribution. Australia generally. 
notes. Also called Chestnut-eared Finch. Usually in pairs or flocks 
frequenting grass lands bordering watercourses and plains intersected 
