REVISION OF THE GENUS MALURUS. 
by him a different number is given. A feature of the genus 
that does not seem to have been previously noted is that the 
two outer tail feathers are minute, being little longer than the 
under tail-coverts. 
Key to the Species. 
Ear-coverts prominent, erectile 
Scapulars not chestnut 
Abdomen mostly white 
Abdomen mostly blue 
Lower back black 
Head and mantle darker (bradley’s blue) 
Head and mantle lighter (calamine blue) 
Lower back blue 
Subgenus Malurus 
. . cyaneus 
melanotus 
callainus 
splendens 
Scapulars chestnut 
Throat black 
Lower under surface mostly white, flanks tinged buff 
Ear-coverts paler than head . . . . . . . . lamberti 
Ear-coverts similar in colour to head . . . . . . amabilis 
Lower under surface mostly white, flanks tinged bluish 
lavender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dulcis 
Throat blue-violet 
Head, ear-coverts and upper back similar in colour, lighter . . elegans 
Head, ear-coverts and upper back differing in colour, 
darker . . . . . . . . . . . . pulcherrimus 
Ear-coverts not prominent, not erectile 
Size small .4 
Colour of plumage mostly blue 
Scapulars and inner secondaries white 
Colour of plumage mostly black 
Scapulars and inner secondaries white 
Scapulars and back red 
Size large 
Centre of crown black surrounded with purple 
Subgenus Hallornis 
leuconotus 
. . leucopterus 
. . melanocephalus 
Subgenus Rosina 
coronahis 
Subgenus Malurus Vieillot. 
Malurus (Malurus) cyaneus (Latham). 
This well-known species is the genotype, and is the only 
species found in south-east Australia. Four distinctive races 
have long been considered worthy of separation. Individual 
variation in colouration appears to account for more recently 
described subspecies. 
Malurus (M.) cyaneus cyaneus (Latham). 
Motacilla cyanea Latham, Gen. Syn. Birds, 2, p. 501, 1783 ; Adventure 
Bay, South Tasmania. 
Motacilla superba Shaw, Naturalists’ Miscellany, 1, p. JO, 1789; S. 
Tasmania. 
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