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T H E GOULDIAN FINCH.
Pocphila mirabilis, HOMBR. AND JACO.
It is uow clearly proved that the Red-headed and Black-headed forms are
oul)- different varieties or plumages of the same species. Consequently the name
Goiddice, originally given to the hen of the Black-headed ^-ariety, sinks as a synonym.
As, however, the trivial name of Gouldian Finch was in use before Dr. Sclater applied
that of Wondrous Finch to the typical form; as also it is the title by which bird
lovers have learned to know it, it seems better to retain it for the species in its
entirety. The Gonldian Finch is an inhabitant of Northern and North Western
Australia and was figured, under the two best known forms, by Hombron and
Jacquinot in the Atlas to the Voy. Pole Sud. pi. 22, figs 122. A third, yellowheaded,
form has since been called Poephila armitiana bj- Dr. E. P. Ramsaj-, who says
it '• may be looked upon as the golden or yellow-headed phase of P. mirabilis"
The cock Gouldian Finch in breeding plumage has the head to beyond the
middle, the face and cheeks carmine-red bordered behind by black, or fP. gouldicej
entirely velvetj- black, or again fP. armitianaj with the red replaced b)' golden
yellow; the chin and centre of throat occupied bj- a regular velvet-black patch
edged with shining cobalt blue, or peacock green ; back of crown at first shiningcobalt
blue, shading into peacock green, which passes into golden green on the
neck; the neck, back and upper wing-coverts, golden green; the flight-feathers
blackish grey, with pale and partly greenish edges to the outer webs; the lower
back and upper tail-coverts peacock green, shading into cobalt blue and with ashy
tips to the feathers; the t\vo Central tail-feathers black, elongated and tapering
to a fine point (and probably lengthening with age) ; remaining feathers blackish
with pale tips ; breast and fore-chest completely covered by a broad belt of
intense violet ultramarine or pansy blue (fading after death to mauve) ; hind chest
and abdomen bright golden or saffron yellow, under tail-coverts white; lateral
tail-feathers ashj' grey, central feathers blackish. Length 4-5 inches. Beak fleshpink,
tinted and tipped with rosy carmine; legs flesh pink ; iris dark brown.
GOULDIAN PIIICH ..
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