198 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
6 . Star Finch Bathilda ruficauda Gould 
Bath-il'-da— from a girl’s name (Fr.), relation or sister of Prince Lucien 
Bonaparte: ru-fi-caud f -a— L., rufus , red; L., cauda, tail. 
distribution. Northern Australia, as far south as New South 
Wales on the east and the Coongan River on the west. 
notes. Also called Red-faced Finch and Red-tailed Finch. Usually 
in pairs or flocks, frequenting chiefly grass-lands bordering water¬ 
courses. It is generally seen on the ground searching for the seeds of 
grasses and other plants. It has a feeble call-note, somewhat like that 
of the Grey-breasted Silver-eye. 
nest. A bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses; lined 
with fine grasses and feathers. Generally placed in a low tree or a bush. 
eggs. Three to five, white.' Breeding-season: probably September to 
January. 
7. Blue-faced Finch Erythura trichroa Kittlitz 
E-ryth-ur'-a— Gk, erythos, red; Gk, ura (oura ), tail: tri-chro'-a—G k, 
tri, three; Gk, chroa, colour. 
distribution. Northern Queensland (Cape York to Cairns dis¬ 
trict); also occurs in the Molucca Islands, New Guinea, Solomon 
Islands, New Hebrides, Loyalty Islands, Caroline Islands, and Bismarck 
Archipelago. 
notes. Also called Tricoloured Parrot-finch. Only four records are 
known of the occurrence of this Finch in Australia. Probably these 
records are of stragglers as this species has not otherwise been observed. 
In the islands they are plentiful, and congregate in pairs or flocks, and 
nest in the gardens of the settlers and natives. 
nest. A neat, rounded structure, with a small entrance at the side, 
composed of fibre or grass; lined with soft materials. Generally placed 
in shrubs or in mango trees. 
eggs. Three to six, white. Breeding-season: not recorded. 
8 . Plum-headed Finch Aidemosyne modesta Gould 
Ai-de-mos'-y-ne— Gk, aidemosyne , modesty: mod-est'-a— L., modestus 
modest. 
distribution. From Queensland to Victoria. 
notes. Also called Modest Finch, Cherry Finch, Plain-coloured 
Finch, and Diadem Finch. Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting 
grass-lands and the open areas bordering watercourses. It is generally 
seen feeding either on or near the ground on the seeds of grasses and 
other plants. The female is much duller in coloration than the male, 
and does not possess the blackish chin. 
nest. A bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses; lined 
with feathers. Generally built in tall grass, among thistles, or in a low 
bush. 
eggs. Five to seven, white. Breeding-season: September to January. 
