THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
member. The number of these parties varies from five to seven. The tail 
is carried much like Malurus, but not so far over the back. They often 
take insects on the wing, but appear to live on larger ones than Ryania. 
The male is shy when in adult plumage, but he is truly a lovely bird, and 
the colours of the head show out in the light to a remarkable extent. They 
have no song, and the 4 chrrip ’ uttered while moving along in flocks is far 
stronger, and easily recognised from that of Ryania. They always select 
long rushes or bamboos, up the stems of which they climb with ease ; they 
also feed more on the wing than Ryania .” 
Kilgour writing of the Ord River, near Wyndham, also stated : “ Almost 
wherever there is water the Purple-crowned Wren ( Malurus coronatus) is to 
be seen. It is indeed a beautiful little creature, and has an exquisite little 
collection of notes.” 
Macgillivray has recorded : “ Mr. McLennan first met with this fine 
large Malurus on the Leichhardt River, 25 miles beyond Caloola Station, 
where it inhabited the cane-grass growing near the water’s edge. This 
river may be regarded as marking its eastern range. It was common in 
the cane-grass and pandanus along the Gregory River. Its call note is 
very loud, and like that of Sericornis frontalis of southern parts. When he was 
standing still, this bird came within 4 feet of Mr. McLennan, and showed no 
sign of fear.” 
Barnard added : “ A purple- crowned Malurus was very plentiful in 
the cane-grass along the river from Borroloola to the tableland divide. 
From a number of skins sent it was identified as above. This bird was 
recently discovered by Mr. W. McLennan while collecting for Dr. Mac- 
gillivray on the Leichhardt River. Eggs of this bird were taken by me and 
described by Mr. White of Belltrees. This bird was noted as the foster- 
parent of Cacomantis variolosus ( C . jpyrrhophanus dumetorum).' , ' > 
H. L. White then described the nest and eggs, and wrote : “ the colora- 
tion of the crown of the full-plumaged male being of a distinct shade to that 
of the North-west form ; in my opinion, Mr. Mathews was justified in 
separating the two.” 
It may be here noted that although the species was first described 
from Northern Territory, the name is applicable to the North-west form that 
occurs at Wyndham, as that is faunally a part of the western Northern 
Territory as regards many bird forms. 
Ramsay recording Derby birds collected by Cairn wrote : “ Several 
specimens of this beautiful and rare species were obtained inland. I believe 
these are the first recorded since the types described by Mr. Gould were 
obtained,” and then added from Bo wy er - B o wer ’ s collection at the same place 
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