AMYTIS TEXTILIS. 
Textile Wren. 
Malurus textilis, Quoy et Gaim. Zool. de lUranie, p, 107. pl. 23. fig. 1. 
Tue birds figured in this and the following Plate differ from each other considerably in plumage, as well as 
in the structure of the bill, that organ in the present bird being shorter and more robust than in Amytis 
striatus, 
Of the Textile Wren I killed and dissected many examples, but of the following I only procured a single 
specimen, and never met with it but in this one instance. I have considered it necessary to state this, as it 
would have been more satisfactory to me to have had further proofs from actual dissection and comparison, 
of their being really distinct, although I have little doubt that such is the case. The bird figured in the 
“Voyage de l’'Uranie” is doubtless referable to the one represented on the opposite Plate, while that figured 
by M. Lesson in the Atlas to his “ Traité d’Ornithologie,” and which seems to haye been the subject 
from which he took his generic characters and description, as clearly belongs to 4. striatus. 
The only place in which I observed the Textile Wren was the plains bordering the Lower Namoi; and 
that its range extends far to the northward and westward is certain, from the fact of the specimen figured in 
the “* Voyage” above-quoted having been procured on the north-west coast. 
In the various positions it assumes, in the elevated carriage of its tail, and in its whole economy, it bears 
a close resemblance to the true Malui: like them also it wanders about in small troops of four or six in 
number, always keeping within a short distance, and returning towards the close of the day to its accustomed 
haunts. On the Lower Namoi, where it is very abundant, it is found in all those parts of the plains that 
are studded with scrubs and clumps of a low shrub-like tree, resembling the Barilla of the coast, through 
aud among which it creeps with astonishing rapidity ; indeed, its mode of progression on the ground 
is such as no description can convey an accurate conception of, and must be seen to be understood: 
I cannot perhaps compare it with anything, unless with the motion of an India-rubber ball when thrown 
forcibly along the ground. While stealing from bush to bush, with this rapid movement, its head low and 
tail perfectly erect, it presents an exceedingly droll appearance. Like many others of its family, it seldom 
employs the power of flight. 
Its food is insects of various kinds. 
Of its nidification I have nothing to communicate : it doubtless builds a dome-shaped nest, and in all 
probability lays four spotted eggs; but to these points I would call the attention of those who are favourably 
situated for observing them, as also to confirm or refute the opinion of this and the following bird being 
distinct. 
All the upper surface dark brown, each feather with a narrow stripe of white down the centre; under 
surface the same, but much paler; flanks and under surface of the shoulder rust-red; tail dark brown, 
indistinctly barred with a still darker hue and edged with pale brown ; irides reddish hazel ; base of lower 
mandible bluish horn-colour ; remainder of the bill black ; feet flesh-brown. 
The male I dissected was destitute of the rusty red colouring on the flanks and under surface of the 
shoulder. 
The Plate represents a male and female of the natural size. 
