1-8 XiSTS AND EGGS OF AiSIRALZAN BIRDS. 



Nest. — Similar to those of other members of the genus, being a dome- 

 sliaped stnictiu'e, outwardly composed of long thin stiips of bark, matted 

 together with spiders' cocoons, and lined inside with soft downy seeds of 

 a composite plant (North). 



Eyg^. — Clutch, three ; oval in form ; colour, white, sprinkled all over 

 the larger end with reddish-brown marlungs. Dimensions in inches : 

 (1) -68 X -48, (2) -68 x -45 (North). 



Observations. — Of the Wrens there is still another western beauty — 

 the Gilbert Variegated, with a more interior and north-western range. 



On the 28th Octol>er, long ago, in the vicinity of the Wongan Hills, 

 Gilbert found a nest placed on the upper branches of a species of hakea, 

 about four feet from the ground. The nest contained a pair of newly-laid 

 eggs. 



In connection vsdth a nest in the Macleayan Collection, Mr. North states 

 it was foimd by Mr. W. W. Froggatt, on the 25th Januai-y, 1888, in a low 

 bush on the Napier Range, about one himdred miles inland from Derby. 



Hitherto the furthest east that J/. 2^"^cherrimus has been recorded is 

 the interior of South Austraha (Captain Sturt). I venture to state we 

 have it also in Victoria, in the Mallee district. In 1884, I shot a specimen 

 (now in the collection of Mr. Joseph Andrews, Melbovirue,) there, and 

 recently (September, 1899), when on a collecting exciirsion to the same 

 locality with Messrs. C. A. and A. Smart, others were prociued — one in 

 particular having the whole of the crown of the head blue, as figured by 

 Gould, but not with the " intense indigo-blue ' throat. The throat and 

 breast are " deep-black," as described in the British Museum Catalogue. 

 Should there really be a bird in the South-west with an indigo throat, then 

 there is also a black-throated variety between it and J/. lamhoii in the 

 east. Mr. Tom Carter has procmed exactly similar birds to the Victorian 

 near the North-west Cape. Some of the males of 31. jmlcherriTnus wear 

 a dingy brownish cap, as generally seen in M. lamherti. Tlie only 

 difference I can distinguish between the two is the more violet shade of 

 blue of the fonuer bird. 



The two nests I fouiid in the Mallee were close to the gi-ound, built 

 of dead, weather-beaten strips of bark and grass, and Hned \x\i\\ finer 

 material, feathers, &c. Dimensions ; length, 7 inches ; breadth, 4 inches ; 

 entrance, 1 inch across. One nest contained eggs nearly incubated, the 

 other young birds, w^hich I made squeak, when two hen birds and a male 

 appeared, the latter ha\'ing an insect in his mouth. 



150. — Malurus coron.\tus, Gould. — (193) 

 PURPLE-CROWNED WREN. 



Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol,, supp , pi. 20 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus . vol, iv., p. 295. 



Geogrnjihiral Distrilu'ioii. — North-west Australia and Northern 

 Tenitorv. 



