BY E. r. HAMSAY, F.L.S. 49 



12. Malurus leuconotus, Gould. 



The nest like that of all other members of the genus is a dome 

 shaped, oblong structure of fine grass, ornamented and mixed 

 with cobweb and wool, and lined inside with the cotton from the 

 native " Cotton Bush," or the silky down from the seed pods 

 of an Asdepiad. The length of the nest is ^o in. x 2 "3, and 

 was placed in a small tuft of coarse grass near the ground, others 

 were found among the lower branches and grass at the base of 

 "Cotton Bush" shrub. The eggs are three in number, pearly 

 wdiite with a zone of reddish spots on the thicker end, and a few 

 dots of the same tint sprinkled over the rest of the surface. 

 Length 0-6 x O'J^S. 



Hah. Bourke District {Miis. Dohr., J. R.) 



13. JVlALrRUS LEUCOPTEKUS, Quoy ^' Gaim. 



The nest is from the same district as the above mentioned and 

 composed of the same materials and similarly placed ; it is a little 

 smaller and rather more loosely put together ; the eggs are very 

 similar, only a trifle smaller than those of M. Jeuconotus, and the 

 zone of reddish spots not so distinct, they nevertheless vary 

 considerably, some having the zone more defined, others which 

 have no zone at all, are simply sprinkled all over the thicker end, 

 with reddish brown or light red spots. — {Mus. Dohr., J. i?.) 



11^. Pteehol-Emus BRUiS']N'EUs, Gould. PI. 3, fig. S. 



This is a remarkable species, and peculiar in the colour of its 

 eggs, the nest is very similar to that of a Malurus, it is composed 

 wholly of grasses loosely thrown together, without being inter- 

 woven more than is necessary to keep them in their place ; the 

 structure would hardly bear removal ; the lining is of hair or fur 

 of the "Babbit-rat" Lagorcliestes, it is five inches in diameter, 

 by three and a quarter across outside, with no hood over the 

 opening ; the structure was placed on its side among the twigs 

 of small shi'ub with grass growing through its branches near the 

 D 



