ESTRELDA BELLA.
Fire-tailed Finch.
Loxia bella, Lath. Ind. Om. Supp., p. xlvi.
Black-lined Grosbeak, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 198.—lb. Gen. Hist., vol. v. p. 267.
Fringilla bella, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 257.
Wee-bong, Aborigines of New South Wales.
Fire-tail, Colonists of Van Diemen’s Land.
Van D iem e n ’s L a n d may be considered the stronghold of this species, for it is universally and numerously
dispersed over all parts o f th at island suited to its habits and economy. I t also inhabits New South Wales,
but is there far less abundant than in other districts. I generally observed it in small communities varying
from six to a dozen in number, searching on the ground for the seeds o f grasses and other small plants which
grow on the plains and open parts of the forest. I t also frequents the gardens and pleasure-grounds o f the
settlers, with whom it is a favourite, few birds being more tame o r more beautifully coloured than this little
Finch ; the brilliant scarlet o f the rump, and the base of the tail-feathers strongly contrasting with the more
sombre hue o f the body. Its flight is extremely rapid and arrow-like, particularly when crossing a plain
or passing down a gulley. I t is a stationary species in Van Diemen’s Laud, and probably also in New South
Wales. In the former country I constantly encountered it breeding, my attention being usually attracted
by the enormous nest which it builds, and which, being placed among the branches o f shrubby trees
without the slightest attempt a t concealment, is very conspicuous. I t moreover breeds in small communities,
several nests about ten inches in diameter being placed on the same tree. They are constructed entirely of
grasses and stalks of plants, dome-shaped in form, with a hole near the top for the ingress and egress of
the bird. The eggs are five or six iu number, rath er lengthened in form Sind o f a beautiful flesh-white,
eight and a half lines long by six and a half lines broad. I t breeds from September to January, during
which period two o r three broods are reared. Its note is a single mournful sound emitted while perched
on the low branches o f the trees in the neighbourhood o f its feeding-places.
The sexes present no external difference, and may be thus described :— circle surrounding the eyes, lores,
and a line crossing the forehead black ; all the upper surface, wings and tail olive-brown, crossed by
numerous narrow crescentic lines of black; rump and base o f the tail-feathers shining scarlet; all the
under surface grey, crossed by numerous narrow crescentic lines o f b lack ; centre o f the abdomen and under
tail-coverts b lack ; tips of the primaries and tail-feathers brown without b a rs ; bill crimson, becoming paler
a t the base of the upper mandible; irides very dark brown; eyelash beautiful light blue; feet flesh-
colour.
The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.