BANDED FINCH. 
They gradually disappeared as the seed was eaten. Tliey got very tame 
and would often come into the bough shed at the back after cnunbs. 
Sept. 23rd, 1908 : At dusk I saw five fly out of a nest, wliich formed a roosting 
place. Oct. 1st, 1908: They have a few notes which are sung in an undertone 
when the birds are perched on the bushes. It is hard to be siue of the individual, 
as tliey stop when one approaches. Feb. 1st, 1909 : Nest found containing two 
eggs, placed in a horizontal fork of a small bauhuiia about six feet from the 
ground ; at sundo^vn both birds were on the nest.” Later he wote : “A few 
of these birds were seen at a big spring fourteen miles down Marngle Creek 
from my camp. On my way up the Fitzroy to Jegurra from Marngle Creek 
I saw a good many. On Jegurra Creek the birds were seen for a short distance 
up the creek from the river. This species is usually found near rivers, sprnigs 
and waterholes and rarely goes far from cover, preferring to feed close to bushes, 
cane grass, etc., in which it takes refuge when alarmed. Is fairly numerous 
along the Fitzroy River.” 
Mr. Rogers told me that he has seen this Finch in captivity Avith the space 
between the black bands on the breast tirmed black. 
Hill recorded it from Napier Broome Bay, North-west Kimberley, as 
“ A common bird near the coast and on the sandstone hills, where eggs were 
taken from March to June. As a rule the nests are built in exposed positions 
in stunted scrub {Calycothrix microphylla Cunn.), but it is not miusual to find 
them very carefully concealed amongst the dead leaves of pandanus palms. 
Fine twigs and grass or grass only are the materials used in nest building. From 
three to eight eggs are laid. 
Then from Borroloola, Northern Territory, Hill reported: “ Sticloptera 
bichenovii. Foimd in the same localities as S. annulosa, which species they 
closely resemble in habits, though they do not appear to fraternise. 
“ Sticloptera annulosa. Generally found near the river in tall grass and 
low bushes m parties of from six to twelve birds. The nesting season 
cormnences in January.” 
It is unfortunate that in making this statement Hill did not confirm it 
with specimens, as Barnard later wTote from the same locality: 
“ Stizoptera bichenovii {S. b. bandi). Very common in the brush along 
the McArthur River, where they bred freely.” 
H. L. White recorded McLemian’s notes from the same place under the 
name Sticloptera annulosa. “ Macarthur River, 7/8/15 : Noticed when passing 
m boat. Cape Barrow, 25/8/15 : Some seen in thick brush in forest. King 
River: Small flocks always along river flat and about springs. Crop, seeds. 
Campbell then recorded a pair from Groote Eylandt, Gulf of Carpentaria, 
as “ Typical with black rump, not white as in bichenovii.” 
VOL. xn. 
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