ZPHi-A-TIE IX X I. 



MALURUS SPLENDENS. 



BANDED SUPERB WARBLER 



J j^HIS, one of the most beautiful of all the Maluri, is found about the coast of Western Australia. 

 In general habits it resembles its congeners. 



The breeding season lasts from September to the end of December, during which time four eggs 

 are laid in a dome-shaped nest, constructed of grass and lined with wool or feathers. The eggs are flesh- 

 white in colour, with spots and blotches of reddish-brown distributed over the surface, particularly at the 

 larger end. Their length is eight and a quarter lines, and their breadth six and a quarter lines. 



The male has the crown of the head, back, scapularies, and tail-coverts, deep blue ; ear-coverts 

 and wings, greenish-blue ; throat and under surface, deep violet-blue ; lores, crescent-shaped mark across 

 the chest, and back of the neck, velvety black ; tail, greenish-blue ; bill, brown ; irides. yellowish-brown . 

 legs and feet, black. 



The female has the bill, lores, and circle round the eyes, reddish-brown ; crown of the head 

 and all the upper surface, brown ; the external margins of the wing-feathers slightly tinged with green. 



Habitat : Western Australia. 



T 



MALURUS PULCHEERIMUS (Gould.) 



BLUE-BREASTED SUPERB WARBLER. 



HE interior of Western Australia is the home of this species, which in manners and habits resembles 

 the other members of the genus. It is most closely allied to Malurus Elegans. 



The nest, which is usually suspended from one of the branches of a low, scrub-like tree, is made 

 of grass and lined with hair or feathers. The eggs are either two or three in number, and are flesh- 

 white, blotched with reddish-brown. 



The crown of the head and back, rich violet-blue ; ear-coverts and space round the eye, verditer 

 blue ; throat, indigo-blue ; lores, back of the neck, and lower part of the back, black ; scapularies, chestnut ; 

 wings, brown ; tail, blue ; under surface, white ; bill, black ; irides, legs, and feet, brown. 



Total length, 5^ inches ; bill, 1 J W inch ; wing, 2 inches ; tail, 3^ inches ;■ tarsi, 15 / 16 inch. 



Habitat : Western Australia. 



