_J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._
]
ESTRELDA OCULEA.
Red-eared Finch.
_Fringilla oculea_, Quoy et Gaim. Voy. de l’Astrolabe, Zool., Part I.
p. 211; Ois., pl. 18. fig. 2.
_Jeȅ-ree_, Aborigines of the lowland, and
_Dweȑ-den-ngool-gnan̏-neer_, Aborigines of the mountain districts of
Western Australia.
_Native Sparrow_, Colonists of Swan River.
This species is abundant in many parts of the colony of Swan River on
the western coast, but has not as yet been discovered elsewhere. Like
its near ally the _Estrelda bella_ it inhabits open grassy glades
studded with thickets, particularly in moist swampy districts and along
the borders of lakes and rivers. Its food consists of small grass-seeds
procured among the herbage on the ground. It is not a migratory species,
and its place of resort appears to be merely changed when, the supply of
food being exhausted, it becomes necessary to seek it elsewhere. Mr.
Gilbert states that “it is a solitary species and is generally found in
the most retired spots in the thickets, where its mournful, slowly
drawn-out note only serves to add to the loneliness of the place. Its
powers of flight, although sometimes rapid, would seem to be feeble, as
they are merely employed to remove it from tree to tree. The natives of
the mountain districts of Western Australia have a tradition that the
first bird of this species speared a dog and drank its blood, and thus
obtained its red bill.”
The sexes are so much alike that dissection is necessary to distinguish
the male from the female. The beautiful patch of scarlet feathers behind
the eye, together with the rich colouring of the bill, assists very
materially in relieving the more sombre but delicate markings of the
remainder of the body.
Lores, line over the bill and a narrow circle surrounding the eye black;
behind the eye a small patch of shining scarlet; all the upper surface
olive-brown, crossed by numerous fine irregular crescent-shaped bands of
black, which are broadest and most conspicuous on the lower part of the
back; wings and tail similarly marked, but with the black bands still
broader and more distinct; rump and the margins of the base of the
central tail-feathers shining scarlet; throat and breast light brown,
crossed by numerous crescent-shaped bands of black; abdomen and under
surface black, with a large spot of white near the tip of each feather;
irides red; bill bright vermilion, the base of the upper mandible edged
with pearl-grey; eyelash greenish blue; legs yellowish grey.
The figures are of the natural size.
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