RED-BROWED FINCH (WAX-BILL). 
in July, 1911. One nest containing five eggs was found in a creeper-covered 
shrub grooving on a sandy rise between the beacli and the mangroves ; another, 
containing young birds, was placed hi a small mangrove on the beach and 
at about two feet above high-water mark, and a third half-built one close 
by in another mangrove. Stomach contents, grass seed,” 
Later he added: “ We saw Lesser Red-browed Finches on several occasions 
on the Claudie and also saw their old nests. IVIi’. McLennan records them 
from the Archer River.” 
Campbell and Barnard have recorded from the Cardwell district: 
JEigintha^ minor. The well-kno^v^l ‘ Waxbill ’ was fairly common. It is 
more yellowish on the upper-surface than the southern bird.” 
This must be reconciled vith Campbell’s statement a couple of years 
previously : “ Red-browed Finches {Mgintha temporalis) are numerous in the 
Mackay, Townsville and Cardwell districts. . . . The smaller form, minor, 
occurs further north.” 
When Campbell prepared his A'esfe and Eggs he observed : “ Judging 
by a skin in the Adelaide Aluseum, from Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, 
the northern bird differs somewhat from the southern form by its smaller size, 
wings and mantle more yellowish (golden-green) and under-surface lighter 
coloured, especially on the throat and abdomen, which are almost white, while 
the scarlet brow is more intense in colouring. Comparative dimensions of 
northern and southern forms are: Total length, 3‘8 inches; wing D87 inch, 
tail 1-2 inch, tarsus '62 inch, bill *35 inch (north) ; total length 4‘2 inches ; 
wing 2-04 inches, tail 1*37 inch, tarsus ’65 inch, bill -35 inch (south). 
After more material has been examined, and should the difference be constant, 
I shoiild suggest the name M. minor for the northern bird.” 
When I prepared my “ Reference List ” in 1912 I admitted Campbell’s 
form as a distinct subspecies and added two more, thus: 
JEgintha temporalis temporalis (Latham). 
New South Wales. 
JEgintha temporalis minor Campbell. 
Queensland. 
Mginiha temporalis tregellasi Mathews. 
“ Differs from A. t. temporalis in its greener coloration above and more brown 
underneath, especially on the abdomen (Selby).” 
Victoria. 
JEgintha temporalis loftyi Mathews. 
“ Differs from A. t. tregellasi in having a brovTiish head, not grey, as in that 
subspecies. Mt. Lofty, South Australia.” 
South Australia. 
228 
