Genus Mirafra, Horsf.

One, if not two, species of this well-defined genus inhabit Australia. At present one only has been characterized; but the bird of this form, frequenting the intertropical portions of the country, may prove to be a distinct species.

230. Mirafra Horsfieldii, Gould[Vol. II. ] Pl. 77.

Family FRINGILLIDÆ, Vig.

The Finches of Australia comprise twenty well-marked species, referable to several genera or subgenera, each of which exhibit a slight difference in structure, accompanied, as is always the case, by a difference in habit, and in the districts inhabited; thus the true Estreldæ frequent grassy patches in the glades of the forests, the open parts of gullies, &c.; the Amadinæ, the stony hills and flats; the Poëphilæ, the grass beds of the open plains; and the Donacolæ, the grasses of the marshy districts and reed-beds: of the habits of Emblema nothing is known; its pointed bill indicates some peculiarity in its economy differing from those of the other genera.

All the species build, I believe, large grassy nests with a spout-like opening.

The whole of those figured are peculiar to Australia.

Genus Estrelda, Swains.

231. Estrelda bella[Vol. II. ] Pl. 78.