Bong, which is generally poured forth from the branch of a small scrubby tree, is loud, 

 and rather melodious. 



The food consists of insects, and seeds of various plants and grasses. 



The nest, which is large for the size of the bird, is of a round shape, and is made of dried 

 grasses. The eggs, two in number, are brownish-white, spotted with darker brown, the spots being most 

 numerous at the larger end. 



Thi^ bird is smaller than the Sphcnura Brachyptera, but the only differences in the plumage 

 ftiv, thai it has a minus patch round the eye, and that the lines on the crown of the head are fewer 

 in number. 



Total length, 7\ inches; bill, I inch; wing, 2£ inches; tail, 4 inches; tarsi, |- inch. 

 Habitat : Western Australia. 



GENUS MALURUS (Vieillot). 



TIMIK members of this genus are principally confined to the southern part of Australia and to Tasmania. 

 I They are not found in other countries. 



The males are remarkable for the beauty of their plumage during the breeding season, but at 

 other times the sexes are alike. 



MALURUS CORONATUS (Gould). 



CROWNED SUPERB WARBLER, 



T I iHIS is one of the few species of the present genus which inhabit the northern part of Australia, 

 J- where it was procured by Mr. Elsey, to whose energy many important discoveries in Australian 

 ornithology are due. 



Nothing is known of the habits of this bird, but it is not probable that they differ much from 

 those of the other members of the genus. 



The male has the crown of* the head light purplish-brown, with a patch of black in the centre ; 

 a baud of black extends from the bill to the back of the neck ; the back and wings, light brown ; tail, 

 greenish-blue, the lateral feathers margined and tipped with light brown ; throat and chest, buffy- white ; 

 resi of under surface deep buff; irides, bill, and feet, brown. 



The female has the upper surface light brown ; lores, and space behind the eye, white ; ear-coverts, 

 chestnut ; and in all other particulars resembles the male. 



Total length, 6^ inches ; bill, £ inch ; wing, 2} inches ; tail, 3| inches ; tarsi, l| inch. 



Habitat : Queensland. 



