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T H E GOULDIAN FINCH.
Pocphila mirabilis, HOMBR. AND JACQ.
It is now clearly proved that the Red-headed and Black-lieaded forms are
only different varieties or plumages of the same species. Consequently the name
Goiddig:, originally given to the hen of the Black-headed variety, sinks as a synon3-m.
As, however, the trivial name of Gouldian Finch was in use before Dr. Sclater applied
that of Wondroiis 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
entiret\-. The Gouldian Finch is an inhabitant of Northern and North Western
Australia and was figured, under the two best kno\vn forms, by Hombron and
Jacqninot in the Atlas to the Voy. Pole Sud. pi. 22, figs 122. A third, yellowheaded,
form has since been called Poephila armitiami bj- Dr. E. P. Ramsay, who saj's
it maj- be looked upon as the golden or yellow-headed phase of P. mirahHis."
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. gou/diccj
entirely velvet}' black, or again fP. armitianaj with the red replaced b\' golden
yellow; the chin and centre of throat occupied by a regular -s-elvet-biack patch
edged with shining cobalt blue, or peacock green ; back of crown at Iii-,: shiningcobalt
blue, shading into peacock green, which passes into goMtv green on the
neck; the neck, back and upper wing-coverts, golden green; t'ic ilight-feathers
blackish gre}-, with pale and partly greenish edges to the outer u ebs ; the lower
back and upper tail-coverts peacock green, shading into cobalt bine and with ashy
tips to the feathei-s; the two Central tail-feathers black, elongated and tapering
to a fine point (and probably lengthening with age^^ ; reniuining feathers blackish
wdth pale tips ; bi'east 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 saifron - ellow, under tail-coverts white; lateral
tail-feathers ashy grey, central feathers blackish. Length 4-5 inches. Beak fleshpink,
tinted and tipped with rosy carmine; legs flesh pink; iris dark brown.
G O U L D I A N FINCH. 5.5. g.
fRepAila. /niraSiii^