FAIRY WRENS OF THE HEATH AND SHRUBS 
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territory; a much shyer species than the Blue Wren; its call is a subdued 
twittering. Food: insects and their larvae. 
Nest. —A dome-shaped structure with an entrance near the top, com¬ 
posed of dried grasses, bark-fibre, and spiders’ egg-bags; lined with fine 
dried grasses, bark-fibre, fur, hair, or plant down. Usually placed near 
the ground in a low bush, tuft of grass, or clump of ferns. 
Eggs. —Three or four, white or fleshy to reddish-white, speckled or 
spotted with different shades of red, the markings being more numerous 
on the larger end. Breeding-season: September to December. 
9. Purple-backed Wren Malums assimilis North 
as-sim-i-lis —L., assimilis , similar. 
Distribution. —Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia to 
Western Australia (Dirk Hartog Island). 
Notes. —Chiefly an inland species, usually met with in pairs or family 
parties. Its favourite haunts are mulga, mixed acacia scrubs, or under¬ 
growth bordering creeks ; also spinifex country. Very similar in habits to 
the Variegated Wren. Food: insects and their larvae. The female is 
similar in plumage to the female Variegated Wren. 
Nest. —A dome-shaped structure with a narrow entrance near the top, 
composed of dried grasses and plant-stalks; lined with plant down. Usually 
placed in a bush, up to 5 feet from the ground. 
Eggs. —Three or four, white, sprinkled with dots, spots, and blotches 
of faint pinkish-red, the markings being more numerous on the larger 
end. Breeding-season: October and November. 
10. Red-winged Wren Malums elegans Gould 
el'-e-gans —L., elegans, handsome. 
Distribution. —The coastal districts of south-western Australia, from 
Perth to Albany. 
Notes. —Also called Graceful Wren. Usually in pairs or family 
parties, inhabiting chiefly the heath-lands bordering swamps. . It is very 
shy, resorting to the seclusion of the undergrowth. Food: insects and 
their larvae. 
A Jest. — A dome-shaped structure with an entrance near the top, com¬ 
posed of dried grasses and strips of bark; lined with feathers. Usually 
placed in a low bush near the ground. 
Eggs. —Three or four, pinkish-white, freckled with spots of reddish- 
brown, the markings being more numerous on the larger end. Breeding- 
season: September to December. 
11. Lovely Wren Mahirus amabilis Gould 
am-d-bil-is —L., amabilis, lovely. 
Distribution. —Tropical northern Australia. 
