BIRDS OF THE REED-BEDS AND GRASS-LANDS 
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9. Diamond Sparrow Zonccginthus guttatus Shaw 
Zon-ce-ginth'-us— L., zona , band; Gk, aigintha, a kind of bird: gut-ta'-tns 
—L., guttatus , spotted. 
distribution. From southern Queensland to Victoria and South 
Australia. 
notes. Also called Spotted-sided Finch, Diamond Firetail, and Java 
Sparrow. Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting open spaces and 
grass-lands. It is an attractive bird and passes most of its time on the 
ground, where it feeds on the seeds of grasses and other plants. Its 
call-note is a plaintive long-drawn-out “Kweet”. 
nest. A long, bottle-shaped structure, placed on its side, composed 
of dried grasses; lined with finer grasses. Generally built in a bush or 
tree in thick foliage, sometimes in the outer loose material of the nest 
of an Eagle. 
eggs. Four to seven, white. Breeding-season: August to December 
or January. 
10. Yellow-tailed Finch Donacola flaviprymna Gould 
Do-nac'-o-la- Gk, donax, donacos , reed; L., colere, to inhabit: flav-i- 
prym'-na— L., flavus , yellow; Gk, prymnos , hindmost. 
distribution. North-western Australia and Northern Territory. 
notes. Also called Yellow-rumped Finch. Usually in pairs or flocks, 
frequenting chiefly the tall cane-grass growing on the margins of 
swamps and rivers. It is mostly an inland dweller, but in times of 
drought visits the coastal districts. Food: seeds of grasses and other 
plants. 
nest. A large, bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses; 
lined with finer grasses and a few feathers. Generally built in tall 
grass or a low bush. 
eggs. Four to six, white. Breeding-season: probably July to January. 
11. Pictorella Finch Donacola pectoralis Gould 
pec-tor-d'-lis— L., pectoralis, breasted. 
distribution. North-western Australia and Northern Territory. 
notes. Also called White-breasted Finch. Usually in pairs or flocks, 
frequenting grass-lands bordering watercourses and open areas. It is 
generally seen on or near the ground, feeding on the seeds of grasses 
and other plants. It has a feeble call-note, “Chip, chip, chip”. 
nest. A large, bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried grass- 
stems. Generally built in a tussock of grass. 
eggs. Four to six, white. Breeding-season: July to December, and 
often as late as March and April. 
12. Chestnut-breasted Finch Donacola castaneothorax Gould 
cas-tan-e-o-tho'-rax— L., castaneus , chestnut; Gk, thorax , chest. 
distribution. Tropical northern Australia to New South Wales. 
