LUSCINID.E. 1 :>5 



flocks^ moving rapidly from place to place by a series 

 of bomiding liops, or prjang about in search of 

 insects upon or beneath the fallen trunks of trees. 

 Their flight is feeble, and only extends over short 

 distances. 



The Malurus cyaneus (named by the colonists t]i(^ 

 Superb Warbler, Blue Wren, &c.) is an inhabitant of 

 N ew South Wales, where its favourite haunts are of a wild 

 and sterile character, thinly covered with low scrubby 

 brushwood, near the borders of rivers and ravines. These 

 birds are of a very wandering disposition, but seldom 

 travel far beyond the district where they were bred. 

 During the winter they associate in small flocks, but as 

 sprhig advances they sei^arate into pairs ; the male at tins 

 period undergoing a most remarkable change of plumage, 

 indeed its whole character and nature seem to receive a 

 new impulse. The little creature now displays great 

 vivacity, proudly showing ofl" its gorgeous attire, ami 

 pouring forth an animated song, almost unceasingly, until 

 the female has comj)leted her work of incubation. Two, 

 if not three broods are reared in a season. The song is a 

 hurried strain, something like that of the European 

 Wren. 



The typical form of this sub-femily is the Yellow 

 Megalurus (Megalurus citrinus). 



