ESTRELDA BELLA.
Fire-tailed Finch.

Lowia bella, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xlvi.

Black-lined Grosbeak, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 198.—Ib. Gen. Hist., vol. v. 2 One
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 Diemen’s Lanp may be considered the stronghold of this species, for it is universally and numerously
dispersed over all parts of that island suited to its habits and economy. It 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 of grasses and other small plants which
grow on the plains and open parts of the forest. It also frequents the gardens and pleasure-grounds of the
settlers, with whom it is a favourite, few birds being more tame or more beautifully coloured than this little
Finch; the brilliant scarlet of the rump, and the base of the tail-feathers strongly contrasting with the more
sombre hue of the body. Its flight is extremely rapid and arrow-like, particularly when crossing a plain
or passing down a gulley. It is a stationary species in Van Diemen’s Land, 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 of shrubby trees
without the slightest attempt at concealment, is very conspicuous. It 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 in number, rather lengthened in form and of a beautiful flesh-white,
eight and a half lines long by six and a half lines broad. It breeds from September to January, during
which period two or three broods are reared. Its note is a single mournful sound emitted while perched
on the low branches of the trees in the neighbourhood of its feeding-places.

The sexes present no external difference, aud may be thus described :— circle Suyopmn the eyes, lores,
and a line crossing the forehead black ; all the upper surface, wings and tail SIE HON crossed by
numerous uarrow crescentic lines of black; rump and base of the tail-feathers shining scarlet; all the
under surface grey, crossed by numerous narrow crescentic lines a black ; Gop ne of ‘lus abdomen ann under
tail-coverts black ; tips of the primaries and tail-feathers brown without bars ; bull eELaISOn, becoming paler
at 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.