INSESSORES. 327 



Sp. 191. MALURUS LAMBERTI, Vi^. and Ilorsf. 



Lambert's Superb Warbler. 



Malurus lamberti, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 221. 

 Superb Warbler, Whitens Journ., pi. in p. 256, low. fig. 

 Variegated Warbler, Lewin, Birds of New Holland, pi. xv. 



Malurus lamberti, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iii. pi. 24. 



Although far less common and much more local than 

 M. cyaneus, this species ranges over a greater extent of 

 country, being an inhabitant of most parts of New South 

 Wales, the districts near the coast, as well as those of the 

 interior, but particularly those in the neighbourhood of the 

 Namoi, where it is sometimes associated with its congener 

 M. cyaneus. 



The neighbourhood of Botany Bay is one of its most fa- 

 vom'ite resorts, and it is occasionally seen near Sydney, and 

 even in the small gardens within the town. It does not in- 

 habit Tasmania, nor did I observe it in South Australia, or 

 hear of its ever having been seen there, neither have I received 

 it from the colony of Swan River. 



This is one of the few common birds of Australia of which 

 I was not able to find the nest ; but its changes of plumage, 

 nidification, the number and colour of its eggs, are doubtless 

 very similar to those of the other members of its family. Its 

 food consists of insects of various kinds, which are sought for 

 on the ground, over which it runs with great facility. 



The male has the forehead, ear-coverts, sides of the head, 

 occiput, and centre of the back beautiful violet-blue ; throat, 

 breast, crescent across the upper part of the back and rump 

 black ; scapularies chestnut ; wings brown ; abdomen white, 

 tinged with brown on the flanks ; tail dull greenish blue, 

 indistinctly barred with a darker tint, and lightly tipped with 

 white ; bill black ; eyes and feet dark brown. 



The female has the body dull brown ; the throat and under 



