GOULDIAN FINCH. 
a second contained no fewer than fourteen perfectly fresh eggs, of tliree distinct 
types; the third hollow was beyond reach. After taking the eggs I watched 
the birds assemble about the different holloAvs ; no fewer than six pairs gathered 
at one hollow and tlnee at the other. At the hollow that was not disturbed 
several birds were busy carrying in bits of straw and dead coohbah leaves.” 
As above noted, Gould mahitained that the black-headed and red-headed 
birds were distinct species, but Ramsay, to cite one instance, suggested that 
the red-headed were females and the black males, but, moreover, pointed out 
that some birds had golden heads and named these P. armitiana to favour 
those who regarded the red-headed and black-headed as distinct species, and 
later wTote : “ I am not yet quite satisfied that these species are really distinct, 
but as we have specimens now breeding in our aviaries, I hope the time is not 
far off when this matter wiU be settled. It is only fan’ to say that I have failed 
to mate adults of the red-headed phase with the black-headed varieties, but 
both have been captured from the same troop. I am inclined to beheve that 
the young males and females of both these so-called species are ahke in colour, 
both having black on the fore-head and face, and hght, dull, plum-coloured 
breasts. If they are to be considered as distinct species, this is the only solution 
of the question, but it must be remembered that we have one variety with 
bright golden-yelloiv, instead of red or black on the face and fore-head.” 
North then added: “It may be interesting to know that several of the 
Gouldian Finches have bred hi Dr. Ramsay’s aviary at the Museum. A pair, 
male and female, of the black-headed phase, hatched out on May 13th last 
tliree young ones, one of which, although having a dull-coloured breast, has 
developed a crimson head.” 
The golden-headed phase named by Ramsay seems to be very local, as 
no one has mentioned it shice on the east coast and it has not been met with 
on the Avest. The black-headed phase is probably the latest development, 
as the throat appears to be permanently black, thus suggesting relationship 
to the black-throated Poephila, but then other groups have also black throats ; 
the change from red to golden is at present inexphcable, but I have seen a 
“ red-faced ” Erythura with a yellow face, a similar change. 
Campbell observed: “ There is a singular fact in comiection with the 
3 ’'oung birds that has not yet been recorded by other observers—^that is, a 
protuberance upon the gape which (when the youngster is in the dark part 
of the aviary) reflects the light and shines with an opal-hke briUiancy. Why 
nature has endowed the yornig birds Avith such lustrous mouthpieces has not 
yet been determined.” 
Mrs. Black has written: “I have reared young Gouldian {Poephila 
gouldice). Black-throated (P. cincta). Plum-head {Aidemosyne modesta) and 
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