E S T K E L D A . B I C H E N O V I I .
ESTRELDA BICHENOVII.
Bicheno’s Finch.
Fringilla Bichenovii, Yig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 258.—Jard. and Selb. 111. Om, vol. i. pi. xii.
f ig . 3 .
T h i s beautiful little Finch inhabits the extensive plains o f the interior, particularly such portions of them
as are thinly intersected with low scrubby trees and bushes. The localities in which my specimens were
obtained were the Liverpool and Brezi Plains, and I have not yet received it from any other parts of
Australia, but this may be attributed rather to the paucity of information respecting the interior than to
any other cause; and as I have had occasion to remark with respect to other species, it will be impossible
to determine the precise extent of the range o f this bird until the country has been more fully explored.
The Bicheno’s Finch is very tame in its disposition, and is generally to be observed on the ground, occupied
in procuring the seeds o f the grasses and other small plants, which form its principal food. At the
time of my visit to the interior, which was in the month o f December, it was assembled in small flocks of
from four to eight in n umber; these, when flushed from among the grasses, would perch on the neighbouring
bushes rather than fly off to any distance, and indeed the form o f its wings and tail indicate that it possesses
lesser powers of flight than many of the other Finches.
I was not fortunate enough to obtain its nest or eggs, neither did I ever hear it utter any kind of s o n g ;
consequently I am unable to give any information on these points.
The male has the face, ear-coverts and throat pure white, completely surrounded by a band o f black,
which is broadest on the forehead; crown o f the head, nape of the neck, and back broccoli-brown, each
feather crossed by numerous transverse lines of a lighter t in t ; upper part o f the rump black ; lower p art of
the rump and upper tail-coverts snow-white; wings black, all the feathers except the primaries beautifully
spotted with white ; chest greyish white tinged with buff, bounded below by a broadisli band o f jet-b lack ;
abdomen and flanks huffy white ; under tail-coverts and tail black; irides black, surrounded by a narrow
black la s h ; bill beautiful pale blue.
The sexes, although having a similar character o f marking, may he distinguished from each other by the
male having the black bands o f the chest and throat broader, and its plumage more brilliant. The young
also a t an early age possess the characteristic markings of the adult.
The Plate represents a male and a female o f the natural size.