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THE BIKDS OF AUSTEALIA 



the males assume their full nuptial plumage. The birds pair 

 strictly in the spring, and rear two or three broods during the 

 season. All the members of the families keep together in a 

 company during the year, and from the excess of hen-birds the 

 association suggests polygamy, but the blue male who "proudly 

 struts his dames before" is but the mate of one and the father 

 of the others. In the summer moulting the males lose their 



"The Emu." B. Bun-ell. 



Blue Wren: Ulalurus eyaneus, Female near entrance of Nest. 



brilliant colours and are scarcely distinguishable from the hen 

 birds. As the next spring draws on the colours are resumed, 

 and the young birds are dismissed to take upon them domestic 

 duties of their own. Curiously enough it seems that sometimes 

 unmated males will assist a mated pair in feeding and tending 

 the nestlings. There are some nineteen Australian species of 

 these charming little Wrens or Superb Warblers. 



The females of all save M. amahilis, are of a homely brown; 

 the males are brilliantly coloured during the breeding season. 



