DONACOLA CASTANEOTHORAX, Gould.

Chestnut-breasted Finch.

Amadina castaneothorax, Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.

 

Juparne from the extreme rarity of this species in European collections, its true locality can scarcely as yet
have been visited by naturalists. I observed several specimens in the Museum at Sydney; these, as well as
those I possess, were obtained at Moreton Bay; the productions of which part of Australia are less known
than might have been expected, considering how long it has been colonized. I had not the good fortune to
meet with this bird in a state of nature, but I have been informed that it frequents reed-beds on the banks
of rivers and lagoons, and that it much resembles the Bearded Tit (Calamophilus biarmicus) of Europe, in
the alertness with which it passes up and down the upright stems of the reeds, from the lower part to the
very top, a habit for which the lengthened and curved form of its claws seems well adapted.

The sexes appear to differ but little in colouring ; in some individuals, however, the cheeks and throat
are black instead of brown, a character doubtless dependent on age or season.

I have not as yet seen this bird from the northern or western coast.

Crown of the head and back of the neck grey, the centre of each feather bemg brown ; cheeks, throat
and ear-coverts blackish brown in some specimens, each feather slightly tipped with pale buff; upper surface
and wings reddish brown; upper tail-coverts orange ; tail brown, margined with paler brown ; across the
chest a broad band of pale chestnut, bounded below by a line of black, which gradually widens towards
the flanks, along which it is continued for some distance ; the remainder of the feathers on this part white,
with a spot of blackish brown at the extremity of each ; abdomen white; thighs black ; under tail-coverts
white, with a spot of blackish brown at the extremity of each ; bill black ; feet brown.

The figures are of the natural Size.