THE WEENS 325 



A. — Head blue. 



1. Scapularies blue. 



Upper tail-coverts black, throat blue-black. 



Three species are recognised which are alike in their markings, but 

 differ in the shade of the blue, which varies, as in the Humming birds, 

 according to the light in which thev are viewed. These are — 



The Blue Wren, M. cyanochlamys, of which the mantle is described as of 

 a turquoise blue. It is the common species in South Australia, 

 Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Kangaroo Island. The 

 tail measures 3.2 inches. 



The Long-tailed (or Gould's) Blue Wren, M. cyaneus (gouldi), with a 

 rich cobalt blue mantle. The tail measures 2.6.5 inches. This is the 

 only Blue Wren found in Tasmania. 



Dark Blue Wren, M. elisabetliw. — King Island (Bass Strait). — The largest 

 of the Blue Wrens, and a darker shade of blue; tail dark blue; blue 

 tint on the buffy-white under parts and on the outer edge of some of 

 the primaries. Length 5.75 inches, wing 2.1, tail 2.35. 



Upper tail-coverts black, throat blue, the lower back black. 



The Black-backed Wren, M. melanonotus. — Inhabits the Centre and the 

 scrubby dry interior of South Australia, Victoria and New South 

 Wales. 



Upper tail-coverts blue, throat blue with a black collar below. 



The Turquoise Wren, M. callainus, has a black bar across the rump. It 

 is met with in the interior of South Australia, and the adjacent parts 

 of New South Wales. 



The Banded Wren, M. splendens, has all the back and tail blue. A West 

 Australian species. 



2. Scapularies white. 



The White-winged Wren, M. leucopterus. — General colour of the upper 

 and under surfaces of the body deep cobalt-blue; the scapulars, all 

 the inner coverts and inner secondaries pure white. A species 

 dwelling in the scrubs of the interior from West Australia across the 

 Centre to the back country of Victoria and New South Wales. 



The White-backed Wren, M. leuconotiis. — Like the preceding, but with 

 the centre of the back white, as well as the wings. A very rare bird, 

 found in the interior of South Australia, and once found breeding 

 near Bourke, in New South Wales. (North.) 



