_J. & E. Gould del^t._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]
MALURUS LAMBERTI, _Vig. & Horsf._
Lambert’s Wren.
_Malurus Lamberti_, Vig. & Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p.
221.—Jard. and Selb., Ill. Orn., vol. ii. pl. 72. fig.
2.—Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.
_Superb Warbler_, White’s Journ., pl. in p. 256, low. fig.—Phillips,
Voy., pl. in p. 157, male.
_Variegated Warbler_, Lewin, Birds of New Holl., pl. xv.
Although far less common and much more local than _M. cyaneus_, this
species ranges over a greater extent of country, being an inhabitant of
most parts of New South Wales, the interior in the neighbourhood of the
Namoi and the north-west coast, whence I received several specimens,
forming part of an interesting collection kindly sent me by Mr. Dring. I
found it tolerably abundant on the Namoi, where it was sometimes
associated with its congener _M. cyaneus_.
In New South Wales the neighbourhood of Botany Bay is one of its most
favourite resorts, and it is occasionally seen near Sydney, and even in
the small gardens within the town. A beautiful specimen in the Museum of
this place was killed on the lawn in front of that establishment, which
is situated within the precincts of the town, and surrounded on all
sides by houses. It does not inhabit Van Diemen’s Land, nor did I
observe it in South Australia, or hear of its ever having been seen
there, neither have I received it from the colony of Swan River.
Lambert’s Superb Warbler is a species with which we have been long
acquainted, being figured in the early voyages to New South Wales as a
variety of _Malurus cyaneus_; but the only species with which it at all
assimilates in the disposition and colour of its markings is the _M.
elegans_ of Western Australia, of which it forms a beautiful analogue on
the eastern coast.
This is one of the few common birds of Australia of which I was not able
to find the nest; but its changes of plumage, nidification, the number
and colour of its eggs, are doubtless very similar to those of the other
members of its family. Its food consists of insects of various kinds,
which are sought for on the ground, over which it runs with great
facility.
The male has the forehead, ear-coverts, sides of the head and occiput
and centre of the back beautiful violet-blue; throat, breast, crescent
across the upper part of the back and rump black; scapularies chestnut;
wings brown; abdomen white, tinged with brown on the flanks; tail dull
greenish blue, indistinctly barred with a darker tint, and lightly
tipped with white; bill black; eyes and feet dark brown.
The female has the body dull brown; the throat and under surface much
paler; tail-feathers as in the male, but less bright; bill and space
round the eye reddish brown; feet brown.
The Plate represents a male and female of the natural size.
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