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THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 
The peculiar form of this and other similar nests is evidently for the purpose of enabling 
the parent bird to defend its home against the intrusions of the many foes to bird life with 
which these regions swarm. The eggs are generally from six to eight in number. 
Another species of the same genus, the Capocier, builds a nest which, although of 
coarser texture, is quite as beautiful as that of the pinc-pinc. 
The materials are much the same as those employed by the pinc-pinc, but they are only 
closely felted together in the interior of the nest, and are left to flow loosely on its exterior. 
It is a very large edifice in proportion to the dimensions of the architect, and the cottony 
down, the flaxen fibres, and fine moss are woven together in so skilful a manner as to excite 
our highest admiration. Le Vaillant, who watched a pair of Capociers hard at work upon 
their nest, says that they were occupied for a whole week in their task. The interior of the 
nest is of an oval shape, rather roughly corresponding with the external outline, and it is 
entered through an opening in the side. One of these nests will sometimes reach nine inches 
in height. The Capocier is a native of Africa. 
The genus which has been chosen as a type of this family is Malurus, the members of 
which are only found on the continent of Australia. They possess the habits of Drymoica, 
and even resemble those birds in the peculiar fashion of tilting up their tails as they run over 
the ground. 
Our last, and perhaps the most curious example of the Malurine birds, is the beautiful 
little Emeu Wren of Australia. 
This pretty bird is remarkable for the development of the tail-feathers, which are 
extremely lengthened, and are nothing more than bare shafts slightly fringed on each side. 
The bird never perches on 
high trees, and very seldom 
takes to wing, but runs over 
the grass with very great 
rapidity, holding its tail 
erect over its back in a 
singularly pert manner. It 
is generally found among 
long grass, and according 
to Dr. Bennett it congre- 
gated some years since in 
the Sydney Domain, near 
the Botanic Gardens, but 
has not since appeared in 
that locality. The color of 
this little bird is mottled 
brovTi above, and very light 
fawn below, deepening into 
chestnut on the flanks. 
The throat of the male is 
tinged with blue, and his 
tail-feathers are larger than 
those of his mate. 
The nest of the Emeu 
Wren is very large in comparison to the size of its inhabitant, and is placed on the ground, 
where it looks like a large ball of grass with a hole in the side. The interior is snugly lined 
with soft feathers, and there are generally three eggs. 
The tiny Golden-crested Wren, as it is popularly called, is very common throughout 
Europe, and may be seen hopping and flitting merrily among the branches in copses, orchards, 
EMEU WEEN .— Stiplturm malachurus. 
