330 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



of the West-Indian Islands, and, on arriving, commenced his 

 investigations with his usual spirit ; but he rapidly became 

 worse, and science shortly had to deplore the loss of one of 

 her most enthusiastic votaries. The little I saw of this gen- 

 tleman impressed me with the belief that he had a true love 

 for nature ; and had he been spared, I feel assured he would 

 have distinguished himself greatly in one or other branch of 

 the natural sciences. 



The Malurus coronatus is an inhabitant of the countries 

 bordering the Victoria River. Both sexes were procured, and 

 they now form part of the collection in the British Museum. 



The male has the crown of the head rich lilac-purple, with 

 a triangular spot of black in the centre, and bounded below 

 by a band of velvety black, which, commencing at the nostrils, 

 passes backwards through the eye, dilates upon the ear- 

 coverts, and meets at the back of the neck ; back and wings 

 light brown ; tail bluish green, becoming of a deeper hue 

 towards the extremity ; lateral feathers margined externally 

 and tipped with white ; under surface buflPy white, becoming 

 gradually deeper on the flanks and vent ; irides brown ; bill 

 black ; feet fleshy brown. 



The female has all the upper surface light brown; lores and 

 space behind _^the eye white ; ear-coverts chestnut ; in other 

 respects she is similar to the male. 



Total length Q\ inches ; bill f ; wing 2 J ; tail 3|- ; tarsi 1^. 



Sp. 194. MALURUS LEUCOPTERUS, Quoy et Gaim. ? 



White-winged Superb Warbler. 



Malurus leucopterus, Quoy et Gaim. Zool. de I'Uranie, p. 108, pi. 23. 



fig. 2? 

 Amytis leucopterus, Less. Traite d'Orn., p. 454. 



Malurus leucopterus, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ill. pi. 25. 



I regret that I have not been able to clear up the doubt 

 which exists in my mind, whether the present bird is or is not 



