1090 LIST OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



and was obtained in N. W. Australia. I hold that M. Brownii, 

 V. & H. (Trans. Linn. Soc. XV. p. 223) may be the same as 

 Gould's M. cruentatus, but is certainly not Lewin's Sylvia dorsalis. 

 The facts are that Malurus melanocephalus has the back orange- 

 red, and is found as far south as the Clarence and Richmond 

 Rivers. It is stated to have been obtained on the Upper Hunter 

 and Paterson Rivers, and extends to the Dawson River, Queens- 

 land. As we go further north and reach the Burdekin and 

 Herbert Rivers, the birds are of a deeper tint, almost of a blood- 

 red on the back; this variety is found inland as far as the Norman 

 River and Port Essington, whence I bave obtained specimens ; 

 still further west on the northern coast at Port Darwin and Derby 

 the birds become deepest in colour, and of a clear blood-red on the 

 back. (See notes on Mr. Boyer-Bower's collection, p. 1,100.) 



28. Cisticola sp % 



Mr. Cairn has sent only one specimen, probably because the 

 species was plentiful, but it appears to me to be distinct from G. 

 ruficejys, or else a remarkably well bleached specimen, the under 

 surface being silky and almost white, the head alone slightly tinged 

 with buff, the tail light brown with a faintly defined subterminal 

 spot of dark brown, margined on the tips of the feathers with pale 

 buff. 



29. Ptenoedus rufescens, Vig. & Horsf. 



One immature specimen, female, similar in every respect to 

 N. S. Wales specimens. 



30. Estrelda annulosa, Gould. 



This species is confined, as far as I know, to the north-western 

 portion of the continent ; and is still rare in collections even in this 

 country. Wing 1*9 to 2 inches, tail 2 to 2*2 inches. 



31. Estrelda ruficauda, Gould. 



Does not extend further south than Central Queensland. 



