MALURUS LAMBERTI, Vig. and 1/ors/l 
Lambert’s Wren. 
Malurus Lamberti, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 221. — Jard. and Selb., 111. Orn., vol. ii. pi. 72. fig. 2. 
— Gonld, Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I. 
Superb Warbler , White’s Journ., pi. in p. 256, low. fig. — Phillips, Voy., pi. in p. 157, male. 
Variegated Warbler, Lewin, Birds of New Holl., pi. xv. 
Although far less common and much more local than M. cyaneus , this species ranges over a greater extent 
of country, being an inhabitant of most parts of New South Wales, the interior in the neighbourhood of the 
Namoi and the north-west coast, whence I received several specimens, forming part of an interesting 
collection kindly sent me by Mr. Bring. I found it tolerably abundant on the Namoi, where it was some- 
times associated with its congener M. cyaneus. 
In New South Wales the neighbourhood of Botany Bay is one of its most favourite resorts, and it is 
occasionally seen near Sydney, and even in the small gardens within the town. A beautiful specimen in 
the Museum of this place was killed on the lawn in front of that establishment, which is situated within the 
precincts of the town, and surrounded on all sides by houses. It does not inhabit Van Diemen s Land, nor 
did I observe it in South Australia, or hear of its ever having been seen there, neither have I received it 
from the colony of Swan River. 
Lambert’s Superb Warbler is a species with which we have been long acquainted, being figured in the 
early voyages to New South Wales as a variety of Malurus cyaneus ; but the only species with which it at all 
assimilates in the disposition and colour of its markings is the M. elegans of Western Australia, of which 
it forms a beautiful analogue on the eastern coast. 
This is one of the few common birds of Australia of which I was not able to find the nest ; hut its 
changes of plumage, nidification, the number and colour of its eggs, are doubtless very similar to those of 
the other members of its family. Its food consists of insects of various kinds, which are sought for on the 
ground, over which it runs with great facility. 
The male has the forehead, ear-coverts, sides of the head and occiput and centre of the back beautiful 
violet-blue ; throat, breast, crescent across the upper part of the back and rump black ; scapularies chest- 
nut ; wings brown ; abdomen white, tinged with brown on the flanks ; tail dull greenish blue, indistinctly 
barred with a darker tint, and lightly tipped with white ; bill black ; eyes and feet dark brown. 
The female has the body dull brown ; the throat and under surface much paler ; tail-feathers as in the 
male, but less bright ; bill and space round the eye reddish brown ; feet brown. 
The Plate represents a male and female of the natural size. 
