FAIRY WRENS OF THE HEATH AND SHRUBS 
185 
Distribution. — Throughout the coastal districts of southern Queens- 
land and New South Wales. 
Notes . — Also called Lambert’s Wren. Usually in pairs or family 
parties, frequenting the undergrowth, heath-lands, and thickets on the 
fringes of scrubs. It is very local in habits, a pair keeping to its own 
territory; a much shyer species than the Blue Wren; its call is a subdued 
twittering. Food : insects and their larvae. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure with an entrance near the top, com- 
posed of dried grasses, bark-fibre, and spiders’ egg-bags; lined with fine 
dried grasses, bark-fibre, fur, hair, or plant down. Usually placed near 
the ground in a low bush, tuft of grass, or clump of ferns. 
Eggs. — Three or four, white or fleshy to reddish-white, speckled or 
spotted with different shades of red, the markings being more numerous 
on the larger end. Breeding-season : September to December. 
9. Purple-backed Wren Malurus assimilis North 
as-sim-i-lis — L., assimilis , similar. 
Distribution. — Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia to 
Western Australia (Dirk Hartog Island). 
Notes. — Chiefly an inland species, usually met with in pairs or family 
parties. Its favourite haunts are mulga, mixed acacia scrubs, or under- 
growth bordering creeks; also spinifex country. Very similar in habits to 
the Variegated Wren. Food: insects and their larvae. The female is 
similar in plumage to the female Variegated Wren. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure with a narrow entrance near the top, 
composed of dried grasses and plant-stalks ; lined with plant down. Usually 
placed in a bush, up to 5 feet from the ground. 
Eggs ♦ — Three or four, white, sprinkled with dots, spots, and blotches 
of faint pinkish-red, the markings being more numerous on the larger 
end. Breeding-season: October and November. 
10. Red-winged Wren Malurus elegans Gould — 10A. Female 
eV-e-gans — L., elegans , handsome. 
Distribution. — The coastal districts of south-western Australia, from 
Perth to Albany. 
Notes. — Also called Graceful Wren. Usually in pairs or family 
parties, inhabiting chiefly the heath-lands bordering swamps. It is very 
shy, resorting to the seclusion of the undergrowth. Food: insects and 
their larvae. 
Nest . — A dome-shaped structure with an entrance near the top, com- 
posed of dried grasses and strips of bark; lined with feathers. Usually 
placed in a low bush near the ground. 
Eggs. — Three or four, pinkish-white, freckled with spots of reddish- 
brown, the markings being more numerous on the larger end. Breeding- 
season: September to December. 
