The VARIEGATED FINCH (_Emblema picta_) may be regarded as the Australian
representative of the last-mentioned bird, and is particularly remarkable
for its long, conical beak. Its wings are of moderate length, the first
quill being much shorter than the rest, and the four next of equal
length; the tail is somewhat rounded at the sides. The colours of this
species are extremely striking; the top of the head, and the whole of
the lower part of the body, wings, and tail are brown; the face, throat,
and wings bright red; the upper mandible black, whilst the lower one
is scarlet, and marked with triangular black spots towards its base;
the feet are light red. We are indebted to Gould for the discovery of
this beautiful creature, but unfortunately he was only able to procure
one specimen, and learnt nothing as to its life and habits--indeed, had
he not succeeded in making a painting of it, we should never have been
acquainted with this species, as the bird was stolen soon after being
stuffed.