From Agricultural Gazette of N. S. Wales. 



January ', 1897. 



A List of tlje Insectivorous Birds of New 

 South Wales. 



By ALFRED J. NORTH, C.M.Z.S., 



Ornithologist to the Australian Museum. 



Part II. 



(Continued from Vol. VII, p. 397, 1896.) 



64. Malubtjs cyanetjs, Ellis. Superb Warbler, "Blue Wren," "Cock-tail." 



Malurus cyaneus, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. in, pi. 18 (1818) ; 

 North, Nests and Eggs, Austr. Bds., p. 112 (1889).; 



A resident and well-known species inhabiting most parts of Eastern New 

 South Wales. It has decided preference for those localities near the coast 

 which are covered with a scrubby undergrowth ; and it is also a common 

 species about orchards and gardens. Eew of our birds are better known 

 about the public parks and gardens of Sydney than the pert and lively 

 Superb Warbler ; the rich velvety blue and black attire of the male fre- 

 quently arresting one's attention as it trips across the grassy lawns, or pours 

 forth its cheerful song from the top of some low bush. The nest of this 

 species is dome-shaped, with a narrow entrance in the side ; it is constructed 

 of dried grasses, and lined inside with feathers, hair, or the soft down from 

 the seed-pods of the " Cotton Plant." Usually it is built in a low bush, but 

 occasionally in long grass. The eggs are three or four in number for a sit- 

 ting, of a pale fleshy- white ground colour, spotted and blotched with different 

 shades of reddish-brown ; length, 67 x 05 inch. The breeding season of 

 the Superb Warbler commences in August and continues until the end of 

 Eebruary. Frequently the Rufous-tailed Bronze Cuckoo (Lamprococcyx 

 lasalis) deposits its egg in the nest of this species. The figure represents an 

 adult male ; the female and young males are brown. 



65. Maltfeus lambeeti, Vigors and Horsfield. Lambert's Superb Warbler, 



" Chestnut-backed Superb Warbler." 



Malurus lamberti, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Yol. in, pi. 21 (1848) ; 

 North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 113 (1889). 



The range of the Chestnut-backed Warbler extends over most parts of the 

 Colony; it is, however, far less frequently met with than the preceding 

 species. Its nest is like that of M. cyaneus, but it is usually placed in a tuft 

 of long grass, or in a low shrub in which the grass is growing through' it. 

 Eggs, three or four in number for a sitting, of a pale fleshy-white, spotted or 

 blotched with dark red ; length, 0'66 x - 48 inch. 



Note. — Contributions from the Australian Museum, by permission of the Trustees. 



