_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._
]
ESTRELDA BELLA.
Fire-tailed Finch.
_Loxia bella_, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xlvi.
_Black-lined Grosbeak_, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 198.—Ib.
Gen. Hist., vol. v. p. 267.
_Fringilla bella_, Vig. & 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 Land 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, and may be thus
described:—circle surrounding the eyes, lores, and a line crossing the
forehead black; all the upper surface, wings and tail olive-brown,
crossed by numerous narrow crescentic lines of black; rump and base of
the tail-feathers shining scarlet; all the under surface grey, crossed
by numerous narrow crescentic lines of black; centre of the abdomen and
under tail-coverts black; tips of the primaries and tail-feathers brown
without bars; bill crimson, 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.
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