THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
“ Differs from M. a. alisteri in having the head more streaked, and a paler 
rump.” 
Megalurus alisteri oweni Mathews. 
New South Wales. 
“ Differs from M. a. dulciei in being darker above.” 
I later added : 
Megalurus alisteri melvillensis Mathews. 
Melville Island. 
“ Differs from M. a. alisteri in being darker above and in having a shorter 
wing.” 
In my 1913 “List” I synonymised M. a. oweni with M. a. dulciei and 
only admitting three subspecies under the genus name Dulciornis . 
A little later Ashby wrote : “ Dulciornis alisteri. The specimens sent 
by Mr. May of this species are paler, and the crown of the head less darkly 
striated, and ground-colour rufous, not chestnut as in the Melville Island 
bird. It is evidently a race distinct from the island form, from which I suggest 
it should be distinguished under the name of Dulciornis alisteri mayi n.s. (The 
Northern Territory Grass-Bird).” 
At the present time then five races may be admitted : 
Dulciornis alisteri alisteri (Mathews). 
North-west Australia. 
Dulciornis alisteri mayi Ashby. 
Northern Territory. 
Dulciornis alisteri melvillensis (Mathews). 
Melville Island, Northern Territory. 
Dulciornis alisteri dulciei (Mathews). 
North Queensland. 
Dulciornis alisteri oweni (Mathews). 
New South Wal es. 
The bird figured by Temminck et Laugier in Planch. Color., Vol. I., 
plate 65, as Malurus galactotes, is very similar to the bird figured by Gould, 
Vol. III., pi. 41, as Cysticolor magna. 
388 
