Genus— N E 0 C H MI A. 
Neochmia Gray, Gunera Birds, Vol. 
11., p. (369), June 1849 (ex Honi- 
bron MS.). Type (by original 
designation) .. .. ,. FTiTiyilltt phciBton Hombron & Jac(][uiiiot. 
This very distinctly coloured bird proves to be a close ally, from the colour 
scheme, of Bathilda. 
The conical bill, rounded \ving, long wedge-shaped tail and short legs 
serve structm-aUy to characterize the genus. At different times attention 
has been called to the more open nostrils and the very short legs, but neither 
of these items is of much importance. 
The biU is a httle more conical, narrower at the base, and shallower, 
but comparative measurements would sho%v nothing of value. 
The wing is more rounded than in the majority of these Finches, the first 
prunary minute as usual; the second shorter than the tlurd and exceeded in 
length by the long, not pointed, secondaries; the fourth, fifth, sixth and 
seventh primaries subequal and longest; the eighth longer than the 
second and equalled by the secondaries. 
The tail is very long and wedge-shaped, longer than the \ving; the 
outside feathers less than half the length of the central ones, which are 
narrowed towards their tips but not attenuate. 
The legs are short, scutellate m front, bilaniinate behuid, and the toes 
are slender, the mid-toe very long, and the hmd-toe not very stout. 
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