318 BIRDS Of AUSTRALIA. 



far its range may extend northwards, can only be determined 

 when those parts of the continent shall have been fully ex- 

 plored. I killed many specimens in South Australia which I 

 formerly believed to be identical with the present bird ; but 

 on a recent comparison, I find them to be more nearly allied 

 to the Malurus longicaudus ; a further knowledge of the South 

 Australian bird is therefore necessary, before I can determine 

 to which it is referable, or if it may not be distinct from both. 



The Malurus cyaneus gives preference to those parts of the 

 country which is thinly covered with low scrubby brushwood, 

 and especially to localities of this description which are situ- 

 ated near the borders of rivers and ravines. During the 

 months of winter it associates in small troops of from six to 

 eight in number (probably the brood of a single pair), which 

 continually traverse the district in which they were bred. 

 At this period of the year the adult males throw off their fine 

 livery, and the plumage of the sexes then becomes so nearly alike 

 that a minute examination is requisite to distinguish them. 

 The old males have the bill black at all seasons, whereas the 

 young males during the first year, and the females, have this 

 organ always brown • the tail-feathers also, which with the 

 primaries are only moulted once a year, are of a deeper blue 

 in the old male. As spring advances, the small troops sepa- 

 rate into pairs, and the males undergo a total transformation, 

 not only hi their colour, but in the texture of their plumage ; 

 indeed a more astonishing change can scarcely be imagined. 

 This change is not confined to the plumage alone, but extends 

 also to the habits of the bird; for it now displays great 

 vivacity, proudly shows off its gorgeous attire to the utmost 

 advantage, and pom's out its animated song unceasingly, 

 until the female has completed her task of incubation, and 

 the craving appetites of its newly-hatched young have called 

 forth a new feeling, and given its energies a new direction. 



During the tvinter months no bird can be more tame and 

 familiar; for it frequents the gardens and shrubberies of the 



