MALURUS. 
117 
MALURUS LEUCONOTUS, Gould. 
White-backed Superb Warbler. 
Gould, Handbk. lids. Aunt., Yol. i., sp. 195, p. 332. 
“ The nest, like that of all other members of the genus is a 
dome shaped, oblong structure of fine grass, ornamented and mixed 
with cobweb and wool, and lined inside with the cotton from the 
native “ Cotton Bush ” or the silky down from the seed pods of an 
Asclepiad. The length of the nest is 5'5 inch x 2-3 inch, and it was 
placed in a small tuft of coarse grass near the ground; others were 
found among the lower branches and grass at the base of “Cotton 
Bush ” shrub. The eggs are three in number, pearly-white with 
a zone of reddish spots on the thicker end, and a few dots of the 
same tint sprinkled over the rest of the surface. Length 06 x 
045 inch. They breed during the months of September, October 
and November.” ( Ramsay, P.L.S., N'.S.W’., Yol. vii., p. 49.) 
JJab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. 
{Ramsay.) 
MALURUS MEL ANOCEPH ALUS, Vigors andHovsjield. 
Black-headed Superb Warbler. 
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Ausl., Vol. i., sp. 196, p. 333. 
While in the Richmond River District Dr. Ramsay found the 
nest and eggs of this species at Lismore on the 12th of November 
1866. The nest is like that of M. cyaneus, but smaller, and 
decorated on the outside with new moss; it was built about three 
feet from the ground in the top of some high rank grass. Eggs 
three in number, white, minutely freckled and spotted all over 
with rich red, particularly on the larger end where they form an 
irregular'zone. Length (A) 062 x 045 inch ; (B) 0-6 x 044 
inch; (C) 0 - 61 x 044 inch. 
This species breeds during September and the three following 
months. 
