FAIRY WRENS OF THE HEATH AND SHRUBS 183 
grasses, or wool. Usually placed near the ground in a low bush, 
favourite nesting-sites being salt-bushes and blue-bushes. 
eggs. Three or four, white to rich pinkish or faint reddish-white, 
finely freckled, dotted, and blotched with shades varying from rich 
pinkish-red to rich red, the markings being more numerous at the 
larger end, where sometimes a zone is formed. Breeding-season: 
September to November or December. 
3. Turquoise Wren Malurus calldinus Gould 
cal-ld-'i-nus-G k, calla'inos, like the callais (turquoise). 
distribution. South Australia (Spencer Gulf) to central Australia. 
notes. Usually in pairs or family parties, freely dispersed through 
low scrub and salt-bush, more especially along creeks, and gorges in 
the ranges. Similar in habits to the Blue Wren. Food: insects and 
their larvae. The female is very similar to the female Black-backed 
Wren. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure, composed throughout of soft dead 
grey grasses, intermingled with silky-white and brown plant down, 
the latter material also being used as a lining. Usually placed in a 
salt-bush, tangled cane-grass, or in a dead bush lying on the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, white, finely freckled, spotted, or blotched 
with dilferent shades varying from a bright red to dull reddish-brotvn. 
Breeding-season: usually commences in November and lasts until the 
end of April. 
4. Splendid Wren Malurus splendens Quoy and Gaimard 
splen'-dens- L., splendens , shining. 
distribution. South-western Australia, from the Stirling Ranges 
to Geraldton. 
notes. Also called Banded Wren. Usually in pairs or family parties, 
frequenting the thickets and low scrub of the coastal districts. Very 
similar in habits to the Blue Wren. Food: insects and their larvae. 
The female is similar in plumage to the female Black-backed Wren, 
but differs in having bluish outer webs to the bases of the flight 
feathers. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with a rounded entrance near the 
top, composed of dried grasses; lined with finer grasses, wool, or 
feathers. Usually placed in a low bush near the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, white to pinkish-white, freckled or spotted 
with purplish-brown, the markings being more numerous on the larger 
end. Breeding-season: August to December. 
5. Black-and-White Wren Malurus leucopterus Dumont-5A. Female 
leuc-op'-ter-us— Gk, leucos , white; Gk, pteron, wing. 
distribution. Mid-western Australia (Dirk Hartog Island and 
Barrow Island). 
