60 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



In the mantles I see no regular comparative difference in the 

 measurements. Adult birds {Af. cyaneus)^ from the same paddock 

 in county Evelyn, and adult birds (/I/, gouldii) from the same 

 locality in county Heytesbury (150 miles apart), give depth of 

 mantle "4" to 'TS", and the mantle varies in how near the centre 

 of the throat it may approach. I do not see any order in the 

 extension of the mantle that severs the likeness in the two 

 species. 



M. gouldii., as a whole, in any stage does not seem to me to be 

 larger than M. cyatieas, and I give, as under, some measurements 

 of three stages of M. cyafiens that appear to correspond with 

 equal stages of M. gouldii. 



A. (?. Juv. 31/7/96, Box Hill, Vic. : Bill, chocolate-brown ; 



tail, light blue ; plumage generally brownish. Total 

 length, 4-75"; wing, 1-95''; tail, 2-4"; tarsus, -85". 



B. c?. Box Hill, Vic: Under 12 months, 4/8/94. Total 



length, 4'75" ; wing, 2" ; tail, 2*5" ; tarsus. •9". 



C. (?. ad. 18/9/94, Box Hill, Vic. : In full nuptial plumage. 



Total length, 5'75"; wing, 2-2"; tail, 2-G"; tarsus, 

 •85". 



The distinct difference between the two lies in the head, ear, 

 coverts and mantle of one being rich cobalt-blue, and turquoise 

 in the other. 



No previous literature with which I am acquainted makes any 

 reference to a conspicuous greenish-blue on the secondary quills 

 of either species. This seems to be quite right as concerns 

 M. cya7ie2is, for in sixteen male birds in my cabinet, not one 

 has this color on the edges of the outer webs of the secondary 

 quills. In eleven specimens of M. gouldii, the most matured 

 skins have this character varying in intensity. Other naturalists 

 may have skins of M. cyaneus showing this greenish-blue, but 

 if not it will distinctly define the adult male of M. gouldii. 



Wrens in their autumn plumage are confusing in the sexes, 

 for, at this time of the year all are much alike, as will be con- 

 clusively proved further on. The young female is similar to the 

 old female excepting in the tail, the latter being blue, the former 

 brownish. The young male, as well as the old male, in the 

 critical parts (moulting) of the year, are somewhat like each 

 other, and like the female in the distance. The lores of the 



