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THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
11. Lovely Wren Malurus amabilis Gould—11 A. Female 
am-a-bil-is— L., amabilis , lovely. 
distribution. Tropical northern Australia. 
notes. Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting dwarf scrub¬ 
lands and spinifex country. It is very shy, seldom being seen away 
from cover; similar in habits to the Variegated Wren. Food: insects 
and their larvae. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with an entrance near the top, com¬ 
posed of dried grasses and skeletons of leaves, mixed with spiders' webs 
and egg-bags; lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and fur. Generally placed 
in a low bush. 
eggs. Usually three, white or pinkish-white, sprinkled over with 
minute specks and spots of dull reddish-brown, the markings pre¬ 
dominating at the larger end. Breeding-season: September to October. 
12. Blue-breasted Wren Malurus pulcherrimus Gould—12A. Female 
pul-cher'-rim-us— L., pulcherrimus , very pretty. 
distribution. South Australia to Western Australia (Eyre Penin¬ 
sula to the Wongan Hills and Stirling Ranges). 
notes. In pairs or family parties according to the season of the year, 
its favourite haunts being dwarf marlock or mallee scrubs growing in 
patches on or about hills and dry creek-beds. It is very secretive in its 
movements, more especially the male, otherwise this species is similar 
in habits to the Variegated Wren. Food: insects and their larvae. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance near the top, 
similar in construction to the nests of the other species of Wrens. 
eggs. Usually three, white, spotted with reddish-brown at the larger 
end. Breeding-season: September to November. 
13. Red-backed Wren Malurus melanocephalus Latham—13A. Female 
mel'-an-o-ceph'-al-us—Gk, melas ( melanos ), black; Gk, cephale , head. 
distribution. From Derby (north-western Australia) across 
tropical northern Australia to northern Queensland, and eastern 
Australia as far south as the Hunter River (New South Wales). 
notes. Also called Scarlet-backed Wren and Black-headed Wren. 
Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting dwarf scrubs, heath- 
lands, and swampy grass-flats. Very similar in habits to the Variegated 
Wren. Food: insects and their larvae. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance near the top, 
composed of dried grasses; lined with finer materials. Usually placed 
in a tuft of grass, within a few inches of the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, white, spotted chiefly at the larger end with 
reddish-brown markings. Breeding-season: August to February. 
