MALURUS BROWNII, Vigors $ Horsfield. 

 Brotsons Malurus. 



PLATE LXXII. Fig. 1. 



M. capite, collo antice, tectricibus alarum rectricibusque nigris, dorso coccineo, re- 

 migibus brunneis. 



Scarlet-backed Warbler, Lenin's Birds of New Holland, pi. xiv. 

 Malurus Brownii, Vig. fy Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. xv. p. 223. 



JVLonsieur Temminck has figured in his Planches Coloriees several birds 

 under the present generic title, which do not appear to belong to it, but 

 which will rather range with the Megaluri of Dr Horsfield. We prefer 

 restricting the type to the three species from New Holland now repre- 

 sented. They approach very near to the Warblers in their habits, fre- 

 quenting woods and low bushes, and, since the cultivation of the country, 

 the gardens. Some delight more in marshy grounds or reedy places, and thus 

 show some analogy to our more aquatic warblers. Their food appears to 

 be chiefly insectivorous. The notes of many species are pleasing ; some 

 possess considerable power of modulation. 



We may add, that in this genus the plumage is remarkably thick and 

 velvety, but quite loose and unconnected. The upper tail-coverts are ge- 

 nerally very short, and the tail almost appears to have been pushed or set 

 in, and to have belonged to some other bird. They appear to jerk it, and 

 often to hold it very erect during their movements. 



We lately received a single specimen of a Malurus, which we have no 

 hesitation in placing under the present, and also under that figured by 

 Lewin under the title of " Scarlet-back Wa?°bler." We are much afraid, 

 however, that the M. melanocephalus of Vigors and Horsfield must also 

 come under the present. The chief difference in the specific characters of 

 these gentlemen, is the lighter colour of the under parts, and the brown 

 tinge upon the tail. These may be from age. Many of the species some- 

 times partially retain the brown or dusky feathers of their first plumage, 



