1.4 WHITE— Maluri found in Central Australia. 



Emu. Vol. 12, p. 238, and here we find that Mr. Hill's observa- 

 tions only allowed him to make sure of two species of Malurus 

 between Oodnadatta to some distance north [of the Macdonnell 

 Ranges, namely, Malurus assimilis, purple-backed Wren 

 Warbler; Malurus cyanotus, white-winged Wren Warbler. 



After thoroughly working the region under notice I feel 

 perfectly sure that M. melanotus, M. lamberti, or M. assimilis 

 do not occur there, and from a *large series of specimens col- 

 lected the following species are those to be found in the centre 

 of our continent : — 



Malurus melanotus callainus — Turquoise W T ren. — This is 

 one of, if not the most, beautiful of the family. On approach- 

 ing the Macdonnell Ranges this little gem is met with amongst 

 the mulga scrub, a locality for which it shows a strong pre- 

 ference to any other, and not once did I see it frequent salt- 

 bush country. It flew high, often over the top of the mulga 

 scrub, and would remain amongst the tops of the trees for 

 hours at a time, but frequently like other members of the 

 enu, captured much of its food on or close to the ground. 

 This bird has a very distinct colouration from M. melanotus. 

 This and many distinctive traits in its character in my mind 

 entitles it to specific rank. M. melanotus, which is confined 

 to the low mallee belts along the River Murray, is seldom if 

 ever seen far from undergrowth, and when alarmed will skulk 

 away amongst the thickest cover near the ground, while M.m. 

 callainus has a peculiar distribution. Occurring on the west 

 side, at the head of Spencer Gulf (where my father procured 

 the type specimens), across through the Gawler Ranges, then 

 along the south side of Lake Torrens, where Dr. Morgan 

 studied it very closely at the time of nidification, and now 

 we find it along the foothills of the Macdonnell Ranges. On 

 being alarmed it flew up on to the top of the highest mulga 

 tree, passing from one tree to another till the bird was lost 

 sight of. 



Leggeornis lamberti morgani — Morgan's Wren. — Strange to 

 say, this bird is closely associated with the preceding species, 

 and Mr. Keartland tells us in the proceedings of the Horn Ex- 

 pedition that he procured at one shot a specimen of each, 

 Malurus melanotus and Malurus lamberti, which birds without 

 the slightest doubt refer to M.m. callainus and M.l. morgani. 

 I procured my type specimen from the Gawler Ranges, where 

 M.m. callainus was fairly plentiful, and throughout the central 

 region they are found associated with one another. Leggeornis 



