200 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes .—Also called Chestnut Finch, Bullfinch, Barley-bird, and 
Barley Sparrow. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting reed-beds and 
grass-lands, chiefly of the coastal districts. It is generally seen near or on 
the ground, feeding on the seeds of grasses and other plants. During the 
late autumn and winter months, when it congregates in large flocks, it^does 
considerable damage to crops. 
Nest .—A bulky, oval structure, with a long spout-like entrance, com¬ 
posed of dried grasses, plant-stalks, and tendrils; lined with finer grasses 
and other soft materials. Generally placed in a low bush, often one 
entangled with vines, in a tuft of tall grass, or among a growth of tall 
weeds. 
Eggs. Four to eight, white. Breeding-season: usually July to 
December, often as late as April. 
13. Gouldian Finch Poephila gouldice Gould—13A. Female. 13B 
Red-headed phase (male). 
Po-e-phil-a— Gk, poe grass; Gk, philos, fond of: gouldice— in honour of 
the wife of John Gould. 
Distribution. —Tropical northern Australia. 
Notes. Also called Painted Finch and Purple-breasted Finch 
Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting open country, dry ridges where 
spirn fex flourishes, or grass-lands bordering watercourses. It usually 
feeds on or near the ground on the seeds of grasses and other plants often 
far from water, which it visits at dusk. There is a phase with a golden 
yellow head as well as the two pictured. g 
A cst. A bottle-shaped structure, composed of dried trasses • nlacerl 
l." m a b of". Li S,tUat,ons - in > a » a small ,ri of “he £ 
Dggs. Five to eight, white. Breeding-season • August to Decemher 
and some seasons as late as March, April, mid May.' g December, 
14. Masked Finch Poephila personata Gould 
per-so-na-ta — L., personatus, masked. 
Distribution. —Tropical northern Australia. 
watercourses ^It^sVeilemfl 5 01 n °^ <s ’ frequenting grass-lands bordering 
principally on the ef^M fee ? n f u eithe 1 r °r near the ground! 
utters a feeble cab-note “T Jr iS ??™ d „ other P^nts. When in flight it 
mournful note. ’ wit-twit, and at other times a drawn-out, 
lined with feath^s VidVnTVnV^ st ™ cture > composed of dried grasses; 
Generally built in grass" npnr P eCCS 0t c . iarcoa * a ' xu,t the size of its eggs, 
tree or bush. ’ or u P on the ground, sometimes in a small 
contact with pieces nf ' W*' ? oon become discoloured through 
and often as A “ gUSt '» 
