THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
birds, almost full grown, were found in a nest at Vasse River in January, 1887. 
This nest was practically on the ground, inside a small bush. The nests are 
usually built within a foot of the ground. At Broome Hill, January 25th, 1907, 
two full-plumaged males were observed. Feb. 17/07. Male bird in half-blue 
plumage. Sept. 4, 1908. In a party of six birds, one male in full plumage 
and another with blue wings, coverts and tail. Aug. 20, 1910. Male in full 
plumage. Sept. 27, 1910. A family party of six seen on Pallinup River, 
one only in fairly complete blue plumage. Nov. 12, 1910. Birds breeding.” 
Milligan wrote about the Stirling Ranges : “ These ‘ Mormons ’ were 
numerous on the heavy soils. I observed them on two or three occasions 
mount fully fifteen feet high in the saplings. We saw young birds at 
Tenterden.” 
Later, reviewing his trip to the Wongan Hills, he observed : “ Malurus 
splendens appeared only when the plains were passed and when nearing the 
Mission Station.' . . . continued to Mogumber.” 
Gibson noted between Kalgoorlie and Euclia : “A few only in the mulga ; 
a rare bird in the interior districts.” 
Whitlock then found it on the East Murchison, writing : “ Rare and 
very local. Though I heard of blue birds at Lake Way, which came round 
one’s camp, I hardly expected them to be of this species. It was one of the 
surprises of my trip. I only met with two parties near Wiluna, and another 
near Milly Pool.” Of these specimens Campbell wrote “was smaller in size 
and more intense in colour than the south-western coastal bird.” 
Captain S. A. White has recorded from the Margaret River, South-west 
Australia : “ This bird was not nearly so plentiful as the writer expected it 
to be. In 1889, during my first visit to Western Australia, these birds were 
exceedingly plentiful. Probably the domestic cat gone wild has accounted 
for their disappearance. These birds w r ere nesting.” 
Ashby added : “ Numerous and tame at Claremont. It no doubt occurs 
in low scrub at Geraldton, as it w^as described to us by local residents.” 
Mellor noted from the Murchison River district : “ One male, in full livery, 
was seen with several females. This may be Mathews’ northern subspecies, 
M. s. riordani .” 
A. L. Le Souef wrote : “ This splendid Wren was found on the hills close 
to Perth, occupying sheltered guides, and also at Geraldton on scrub-covered 
sand hills.” 
Alexander : “ Resident in the Perth district. Found throughout, but 
not nearly so common as it is on the Darling Range to the eastward.” 
I described 
Malurus splendens riordani. 
