1 86 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
11* Lovely Wren M alurus amabilis Gould — 11 A. Female 
am-d-bil-is — L., amabilis , lovely. 
Distribution. — Tropical northern Australia. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting dwarf scrub- 
lands and spinifex country. It is very shy, seldom being seen away from 
cover; similar in habits to the Variegated Wren. Food: insects and their 
larvae. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure with an entrance near the top, com- 
posed of dried grasses and skeletons of leaves, mixed with spiders’ webs 
and egg-bags ; lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and fur. Generally placed 
in a low bush. 
Eggs. — Usually three, white or pinkish-white, sprinkled over with 
minute specks and spots of dull reddish-brown, the markings predomin- 
ating at the larger end. Breeding-season : September to October. 
12, Blue-breasted Wren M alurus pulcherrimus Gould — 12A. Female 
pul-cher-rim-us — L., pulcherrimus , very pretty. 
Distribution. — South Australia to Western Australia (Eyre Peninsula 
to the Wongan Hills and Stirling Ranges). 
Notes . — In pairs or family parties according to the season of the year, 
its favourite haunts being dwarf marlock or mallee scrubs growing in 
patches on or about hills and dry creek-beds. It is very secretive in its 
movements, more especially the male, otherwise this species is similar 
in habits to the Variegated Wren. Food: insects and their larvae. 
Nest . — A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance near the top, 
similar in construction to the nests of the other species of Wrens. 
Eggs . — Usually three, white, spotted with reddish-brown at the larger 
end. Breeding-season: September to November. 
13. Red-backed Wren Malurus melanocephalus Latham — 13A. Female 
tnel-an-o-cepli-al-us — Gk, melas ( melanos ), black; Gk, cephale, head. 
Distribution. — From Derby (north-western Australia) across tropical 
northern Australia to northern Queensland, and eastern Australia as far 
south as the Hunter River (New South Wales). 
Notes. — Also called Scarlet-backed Wren and Black-headed Wren. 
Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting dwarf scrubs, heath-lands, 
and swampy grass-flats. Very similar in habits to the Variegated Wren. 
Food: insects and their larvae. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance near the top, 
composed of dried grasses; lined with finer materials. Usually placed in 
a tuft of grass, within a few inches of the ground. 
Eggs. — Three or four, white, spotted chiefly at the larger end with 
reddish-brown markings. Breeding-season: August to February. 
