20 Insectivorous Birds of New South Wales. 



66. Malurus melanotus, Gould. Black-backed Superb "Warbler. 



Malum s melanotics, Gould, Birds of A.ustr : , fol. ed., Yol. Ill, pi. 20 (1818) ; 

 North, Nests and Eggs, Austr. Bds., p. 114, pi. xm, fig. 19 (1889). 



This species is only met with in the scrubby arid back country of the 

 south-western portions of the Colony. In habits and mode of nidincation it 

 resembles M. cyaneus of the coast. Eggs, three or four in number for a 

 sitting, white, spotted with rich red ; length, 065 x 045 inch. 



G7. Malurus LErcoPTERUS, Quoy et Gaimard. "White-winged Superb 



"Warbler, " "White-winged "Wren." 



Malurus leucopterus, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. in, pi. 25 (1848); 



North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 116 (1889). 



An inland species rather freely dispersed over the "Saltbush" (Rhayodia) 

 covered plains of the central and south-western portions of the Colony. It 

 is of a shy disposition and so feeble are its powers of flight that in dry 

 seasons when the country is bare, it can easily be run down on horseback. 

 The White-winged Superb Warbler constructs its dome-shaped "nest in a low 

 bush close to the ground. Eggs, four in number for a sitting, some being 

 almost pure white or but finely freckled with pale reddish-brown, other speci- 

 mens being blotched or zoned with light red on the larger end ; length, 0'5S x 

 0-43 inch. 



68. Malurus leuconotus, Gould. White-backed Superb Warbler. 



Malurus leuconotus, Gould, Suppl. Birds of Austr., pi. 24 (1869) ; North, 

 Nests and Eggs Austr. Bds., p. 117 (1889). 



The White-backed Superb Warbler is an extremely rare species, differing 

 only from the preceding bird in having the back as well as the inner coverts 

 and inner secondaries pure white. Only on one occasion has its occurrence 

 been recorded in New South Wales, when it was found breeding near 

 Bourke. 



69. Malurus callainus, Gould. Turquoisine Superb Warbler. 



Malurus callainus, Gould, Suppl. Birds of Australia, pi. 23 (1869) ; North, 

 Nests and Eggs Austr. Eds., p. 118, pi. xiii, fig. 18 (18S9). 



One of the most beautiful species of this interesting group of birds 

 inhabiting New South AVales, and met with only in the dense scrubs in the 

 central and western portions of the Colony. It builds a dome-shaped nest 

 in a low bush or shrub, and lays three or four eggs, white, with dots, spots, 

 and blotches of rich red ; length, 0*67 x 0'48 inch. Like all the species of 

 this genus, upon the Turquoisine Superb Warbler frequently devolves the 

 duty of hatching the egg, and rearing the young of the Kufous-tailed Bronze 

 Cuckoo {Lamprococcyx basalis). 



70. Mat.urus melanocepiialus, Tiyors and Horsjield. Black-headed 



Warbler, " Scarlet-backed Superb Warbler." 



Malurus melanoceplialus, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed. Yol. iii, pi. 26 (1S48); 



North, Nests and Eggs Austr. Bds., p. 117 (1889). 



The Scarlet-backed Superb W 7 arbler is freely dispersed throughout the rich 

 brushes of the northern coastal rivers, and the grassy gullies and valleys of 

 their watershed. The nest is similar to that of M. cyaneus, and is usually 

 built in a tuft of long grass. Eggs, three in number for a sitting, white, 

 spotted, and minutely freckled, or dotted with rich red ; length, - 62 x 0*43 



