THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
numerous amongst the porcupine grass and rocks in the ranges near Borro- 
looia, but I was unable to secure specimens, although I made several 
attempts to do so. Several nests, probably referable to this species, were 
found, all of which were of the same type — namely, covered in, rather closely 
woven structures, resting on the top of porcupine grass. Malurus dulcis 
inhabits the same class of country.” 
Then Barnard gave an account of his search for this bird, which resulted 
in the collection on the MacArthur of the specimens I named as a distinct 
subspecies, writing 
Magnamytis woodwardi dorothece. 
“ Differs from M. w. woodwardi in its much smaller size and in lacking 
the black feathers on the head, the head feathers having only a, narrow black 
line on each side of the white shaft. The co-type of M. woodwardi measures 
Culmen 15 wing 78 tail 103 tarsus 26 
31. w. dorothece „ 12 „ 62 „ 86 „ 23 
“ Type from the MacArthur River, Gulf of Carpentaria, Sep. 24, 1913.” 
Barnard’s note published reads : “ Amytornis woodwardi . These birds 
are found in high sandstone country, and are very shy. They do not wander 
far from the rocks, into which they dart when disturbed. ... A further 
long search revealed the nest and eggs. The nest is placed on the top of a 
bunch of spinifex and much resembles that of the Masked Grass-Finch. 
Noted as the foster parent of Cacomantis variolosus .” 
The nest and eggs were then described by Mr. H. L. White. 
I then recorded the fact of its specific rank as follows : “ Recently, 
reconsideration of this group has convinced me that the bird is specifically 
distinct, though it is certainly allied to 31. woodwardi , and is referable to 
the genus 31agnamytis. Thus, it agrees in bill characters, wing formula, 
feet and tail with that genus, and differs from Diaphorillas in the bill structure, 
though approaching in its small size the latter genus. In 31. woodwardi the 
feathers of the sides of the lower breast are like those of the top of the head, 
white centres and black edges ; these continue across the lower breast, fading 
into the deep red-brown of the abdomen. In 31. dorothece these black-edged 
feathers are entirely missing, the sides of the breast agreeing in coloration 
with the abdomen, which is very pale buff. The mantle feathers are reddish- 
brown, not black, with white centres, while the secondaries show a broad 
reddish margin which is only seen as a very narrow line in 31. vjoodwardi. 
Further, the inner primaries of 31. dorothece show the inner edges to be 
reddish, whereas this is missing in 31. woodwardi. The accumulation of all 
these differences compels the specific distinction of 31. dorothece .” 
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