THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Gould described this species before he went to Austraha, and much later 
wTote; “'I had not the good fortune to meet with this bird in a state 
of nature, but I have been informed that it frequents reed-beds bordering 
the banks of the rivers and lagoons of the eastern coast, and that it 
much resembles the Bearded Tit (Calamophilus biarmicus) of Europe m the 
alertness with which it passes up and down the upright stems of the reeds, 
from the lower part to the very top, a habit for which the lengthened and 
curved form of its claws seems well adapted.” 
Mr. J. P. Rogers ’wrote from Mel’TiQe Island: “ Dec. 3rd, 1911: This 
evening after sundo\vn I heard strange birds in the mangroves in front of my 
camp. It was too late to shoot or see the birds, but just at daylight next 
morning I was out and found the mangroves alive ’svith these birds. One 
shot killed four males and one female, and the flock then left for Bathurst 
Island about a quarter of a mile away. Dec. 4th: Agam after sundo’wn a 
large flock of these birds came to the mangroves, fully 200 birds in the flock; 
this lot only remained a few moments and then passed on to Bathurst 
Island. On the 29th November a large flock of Fmches passed the camp 
after sundo’wn, which I then thought were P. gouldice, but I now think they 
would be of tliis species.” 
Ramsay wrote: “ This species is widely distributed over the whole of the 
northern parts of New South Wales and Queensland. It breeds plentifully 
in the extensive grass beds of the Clarence and Richmond River districts, also 
at Maryborough, Queensland.” 
Broadbent also noted: “ Commonly called the Bullfinch or ‘ Bully,’ is 
plentiful on the Bellenden plains about the latter part of the year. It may 
be of interest to note that I saw a flock of these Fmches at Chesters’ Point, on 
Thursday Island, during one of my ’visits to that place, though I have not met 
•vrith them on the immediate mainland of Cape York Peninsula 
Hill wrote from North-west Australia : “ These birds were very numerous 
on Hecla Island on 14/11/09, and appeared to be restmg after a long flight. 
Very few were seen at Napier Broome Bay mitil May, when many small flocks 
of ten to twenty birds (generally hi immature plumage) arrived.” 
Barnard then recorded from Cape York: “ Only two pairs seen. One 
pair built a large, bulky nest of grass in a large tussock about 20 yards from 
where I was camped, but deserted the nest as soon as it was finished.” 
Macgilh’vray added: “ Found only at Cape York, ivliere they nest in 
the long grass growing on the small, rocky islets near the mainland, seldom 
being found to nest on the mainland itself. Stomach contents grass seeds.” 
Later, from the Claudie River district, MacgiUivray ’WTote: “ Chestnut¬ 
breasted Finches were first noted after the wet season had started on the 24th 
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