MALURUS BROWNII, Pig. and Horsf:

Brown’s Wren.

Malurus Browni, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 223.
Malurus cruentatus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VII. p. 143.

 

Amone the species of which I sent home characters from New South Wales, for publication im the
Proceedings of the Zoological Society, was the present pretty bird, to which I gave the specific name of
cruentatus ; wpon comparison, however, of my specimens with the Malurus Brownii in the Linnean Society’s
Collection, I find they are identical, consequently my name must sink into a synonym. Mr. Brown, who was
the donor of the Linnean Society’s specimen, obtained his bird near Broad Sound, on the eastern coast ;
while those from which my description was taken were procured on the north-west, and formed part of the
collection placed at my disposal by the officers of the Beagle. It differs from MJalurus melanocephalus in
the more intense and deep blood-red of the back, and, as Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield justly observe, it is
much less in size.

Of its habits and economy, or the situations to which it gives preference, no information has yet been
obtained ; but we may reasonably suppose, that two species so nearly resembling each other in structure
and colour as 4. Brownii and M. melanocephalus do not greatly differ in their habits.

I have lately received an account of its being common at Port Essington; and, as I have above stated, it
is an inhabitant of the eastern and north-western coasts; we may consequently conclude that its range
extends over the whole of the northern parts of the Australian continent.

The male in summer has the head, neck, wings, all the under surface and tail black; primaries and
secondaries brown ; back and shoulders fine crimson; Dill black ; legs fleshy brown.

The female is uniform light brown, the abdomen inclining to white ; bill and feet light brown.

The Plate represents a male and female, on the Beckia linifola.