THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
thighs, and in the much greater extent of the white on the tips and margins 
of the outer tail-feathers. I feel assured the female of M. amabilis will be 
found to closely resemble that sex of M. cyaneus whenever it is our good 
fortune to have examples transmitted to us ; and that this desideratum may 
soon be obtained, as well as additional skins of the male, is much to be wished. 
When the Cape York Peninsula is closely explored, not only this, but many 
other interesting species will reward the collector, and the fauna will probably 
be found to partake of that of the adjacent island of New Guinea, as well as 
of forms peculiar to New South Wales.” 
Later, Gould described as a distinct species M. hypoleucus, which Cockerell 
later pointed out was only the female. It proved so different from other 
females of this group, that even after Cockerell had stated that this was the 
female only, he was doubted, and Ramsay, dealing with birds from Queensland 
included Malurus amabilis and M alums hypoleucus, observing : “ These birds, 
whether they be of the same species or not, were found together on the open 
grass-lands in the neighbourhood of Cardwell, in the vicinity of scrubs. It has 
not by any means been proved that they are male and female of the same 
species, as I find neither Cockerell nor Thorpe , during their trip at Cape York, 
ascertained the sexes of the birds they shot by dissection ; I have made 
particular inquiries of Mr. Thorpe on this point, and I regret to say my collector 
at Rockingham Bay, when he skinned my specimens, made the same mistake 
and went solely by plumage ; in the same locality were shot specimens of 
M. lamberti. It is not improbable that Mr. Gould’s Malurus hypoleucus is quite 
a distinct species, or perhaps the young male of M. amabilis; but from the 
shape of the bill, etc., I am at present inclined to believe it to be a distinct 
species, the fact that they associate together in troops proves nothing on this 
point.” 
Barnard recorded it as fairly plentiful at Cape York and seen in small 
flocks in dense scrub. Builds in small bushes close to the ground. 
Macgillivray added ; “ This species represents the chestnut-shouldered 
group at Cape York. The female, being blue, differs markedly from the females 
of the other Maluri. It frequents the scrubs, where it is quite common, and 
is rarely seen out of them, and then only when crossing from one patch of 
scrub to another. The largest flock noted consisted of one fully-plumaged 
and two immature males and four females. In the breeding-season three birds 
— a male and two females — and occasionally only the pair were met with. 
Their call note is very feeble, and can only be heard a few feet away. 
Nesting takes place during the wet season.” Later : “ We found Lovely 
Wren Warblers frequenting the undergrowth of the scrub, and also the low 
heathy country behind the tea-tree swamps near the Claudie. We found a 
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