170. Sphenostoma cristata, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 17. Genus MALURUS, _Vieill._ The members of this genus are among the most beautiful of the Australian birds; in no group, in fact, with the exception of the _Trochilidæ_ or Humming-birds, is the splendour of their plumage excelled. Their gay attire is, however, only assumed during the pairing season, and is retained for a very short period, after which the sexes are alike in colouring. The genus is strictly an Australian one, and with one or two exceptions, all the species are confined to the southern parts of the continent and Van Diemen’s Land. 171. Malurus cyaneus Vol. II. Pl. 18. 172. Malurus longicaudus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 19. 173. Malurus melanotus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 20. 174. Malurus splendens Vol. II. Pl. 21. 175. Malurus elegans, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 22. 176. Malurus pulcherrimus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 23. 177. Malurus Lamberti, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 24. 178. Malurus leucopterus, _Quoy & Gaim._ Vol. II. Pl. 25. 179. Malurus melanocephalus, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 26. 180. Malurus Brownii, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 27. Genus AMYTIS, _Less._ A form nearly allied to _Malurus_, strictly Australian, and of which three species are known, inhabiting the southern half of the country and not occurring in Van Diemen’s Land. 181. Amytis textilis Vol. II. Pl. 28. 182. Amytis striatus Vol. II. Pl. 29. 183. Amytis macrourus, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 30. Genus STIPITURUS, _Less._ A form confined to Australia. Although some slight variation occurs in the specimens from Van Diemen’s Land, Southern and Western Australia, I believe that they are all referable to one and the same species, viz.— 184. Stipiturus malachurus Vol. II. Pl. 31. Genus DASYORNIS, _Vig. & Horsf._ A group of birds adapted for situations covered with an almost impenetrable vegetation, reed-beds, &c. The two species figured are all that are at present known; of these one is from the eastern and the other from the western parts of Australia. 185. Dasyornis Australis, _Vig. & Horsf._ Vol. II. Pl. 32. 186. Dasyornis longirostris, _Gould_ Vol. II. Pl. 33. Prior to my visit to Australia, I described a bird in the ‘Proceedings of the Zoological Society,’ Part V. p. 150, as _D.? brunneus_, but as I have not since met with the bird in any collection from Australia I presume it is not a native of that country. Genus ATRICHIA, _Gould_.