THE BIRDS OE AUSTRALIA. 
for this species and its allies. Shaw, Keeper of Zoology of the British Museum, 
proposed this name, and it was used a little later in the account of the birds in 
White s Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, where however two different 
birds were figured ; this fact was apparently recognised, as the explanation 
reads : “ This beautiful species is generally found in the state described in 
the specific character ; but it appears to be subject to great variety, two of 
which are exhibited.” These were distinguished as two distinct species by 
Vigors and Horsfield later. It may be due to this confusion that Gould proposed 
a new name for the Tasmanian form, restricting cyaneus to the mainland race, 
as he wrote under the latter name : “ Of the lovely group of birds forming the 
genus M alums, the present species is the oldest known, being that described 
and figured in White’s Voyage to Neio South Wales, under the name of Superb 
Warbler, a term by which the bird is still familiarly known in Australia.” 
Gould’s notes are good and full of interest. “ It is abundantly dispersed 
over the eastern portion of the country, and I observed it to be equally numerous 
on the plains of the interior ; but how far its range may extend northwards, 
can only be determined when those parts of the continent shall have been fully 
explored. I killed many specimens in South Australia which I formerly believed 
to be identical with the present bird ; but on a recent comparison, I find them 
to be more nearly allied to the M alurus longicaudus ; a further knowledge of 
the South Australian bird is therefore necessary, before I can determine to 
which it is referable, or if it may not be distinct from both. The Malurus 
cyaneus gives preference to those parts of the country which are thinly covered 
with low scrubby brushwood, and especially to localities of this description 
which are situated near the borders of rivers and ravines. During the months 
of winter it associates in small troops of from six to eight in number (probably 
the brood of a single pair), which continually traverse the district in which 
they were bred. At this period of the year the adult males throw off their 
fine livery, and the plumage of the sexes then becomes so nearly alike that a 
minute examination is requisite to distinguish them. The old males have 
the bill black at all seasons, whereas the young males during the first year, 
and the females, have this organ always brown ; the tail-feathers also, which 
with the primaries are only moulted once a year, are of a deeper blue in the 
old male. As spring advances, the small troops separate into pairs, and the 
males undergo a total transformation, not only in their colour, but in the texture 
of their plumage ; indeed a more astonishing change can scarcely be imagined. 
This change is not confined to the plumage alone, but extends also to the habits 
of the bird ; for it now displays great vivacity, proudly shows off its gorgeous 
attire to the utmost advantage, and pours out its animated song unceasingly, 
until the female has completed her task of incubation, and the craving appetites 
52 
