186 
THE BIRDS OF 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 predomin¬ 
ating at the larger end. Breeding-season: September to October. 
12. Blue-breasted Wren Malums pulclierrimus Gould 
pid-cher-rim-u>$- —L., pulclierrimus, very pretty. 
Distribution .—South Australia to Western Australia fEvre Peninsula 
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. 
„ . ^-—Usually three, white, spotted with reddish-brown at the larger 
d. Breeding-season: September to November. 
13. Red-backed Wren Malurus melanocephalus Latham 
met -an-o-ceph'-al-ns Gk, me las (melanos ), black; Gk, cephale, head. 
nortlSm'Srnl'irfn 0111 ° erb - v ^north-western Australia) across tropical 
.“ tan 
UsuaUy'te™fr^r C ?™1t ScarI «- |)ad “ d Wren and Black-headcd Wren, 
and 7 ™,V ■’ ""'“'"‘"’S scrubs, heath-lands, 
Food ,™Ss\Td ,t*r S,m " ar “ habi,s *» Variegated Wren, 
composed of A drietTgrasses^ liniT'V V* 1 a sl<le . entra,lc e near the top. 
a tuft of grass, within a few incheToJ the grS™' 5 ' USt,a " y P ' aCC<I " 
reddishd)r 0 wn^niarkin^ Ur 'Breeding-seasort( August' 
14. Purple-crowned Wren Rosim coronal. Gould 
Australia Tco'rZTa'-?a R 0 late M f VS S ‘ A ' White of Adelaide, South 
n- -j ■ ta ~L., coronatus, crowned. 
Northern Verdto^ I to 0 t T he I ^eichhardt r ^R' WeSt t rn ^ Ustralia > throu ? h the 
y ne Leichhardt River (northern Queensland). 
