CRIMSON FINCH. 
November it is to be observed in large flocks, sometimes of several liundreds ; 
but although great numbers were shot during tliis period, not more than three 
or four were obtained in the rich plumage. About the latter part of November 
they were either in pairs or in small companies, not exceeding six in number; 
the males decorated Avith their rich red and spotted dress. The stomach is 
muscular, and the food consists of grass and other small seeds.” 
Capt. S. A. White says : “ Met with this glorious little bird on the Adelaide 
River, N.T., m 1922, June. There wei'e numbers feeding on an open space 
near the river bank, and as they Acaa" up and doAAUi from the ground to a low' 
bushy tree they Avere like flashes of fire shooting out of the dry grass, their 
beautiful plumage shoAVS so brilliantly in the strong sunlight. Grass and Aveed 
seeds seemed to be their principal food ; did not see any signs of mating at that 
time.” 
Mr. Tom Carter Avrote me : “ There is no doubt that some form of Neochmia 
occurs on the Upper Minilya River, as a personal friend, manager of a station 
there, has some specimens in a cage obtained there in spinifex comitry.” 
Keartland’s notes read: “At each of the homesteads near the junction 
of the Fitzroy and Margaret Rivers these birds make their appearance dming 
December, and immediately after the rainfall in January commence building 
their nests. At the Police Camp there w-^ere eight pairs of birds Avhich had 
located their structures on the plates of the verandahs. Others had buried 
tlieir nests in the reedy thatch of the stable. At j\Ir. Blyth’s camp they AA'ere 
nesthig imder the eaves of the thatch, and the birds Avere so tame as to hop 
about the ground close to AA'here Ave sat at breakfast. Although tAvo birds 
were taken off their eggs and handled, they returned to their nests immediately 
they AA'ere hberated. The birds usually disappear agam as soon as their j'oung 
take AAing. I never saAV nests belonging to this species on trees or bushes.” 
Rogers notes, recorded by Hall, read: “Tavo pairs have built near the camp 
of my neighbour, jVIr. Douglas. One of these Avas under an old rug ban g ing 
in a tree. As soon as the birds show^ed them mtentions (15/3/00), the rug Avas 
Avell secured for their purpose, and they completed their dAvelhng in due course. 
The second is placed in a small mistletoe groAAdng immediately above his tent. 
Both are built of paper-bark, grass, and ‘ ravehngs ’ of an old net. When 
Mr. Douglas detected the AA'ish of the birds regardhig the net he unAvound much 
of it, and they carried it aAvay in pieces as fast as he undid the tangle. In one 
case the male bird did all the Avork Avhile the female sat upon a limb and w^atched 
him. With the other pair, the female remamed inside the skeleton nest and 
built in the material as her mate brought it. At times he went inside to help 
her. All are m beautiful plumage. On 27th September I found a nest Avith 
eggs in a Ioav pandanus palm near the river’s (Fitzroy) edge. It was made of 
259 
