fine_china21





		New Designs, Not Yet In Production
			Michael Morcombe





				Unlike other Australian fairy-wrens these two species have colours other than blue dominating their plumage. The male Lilac-crowned Fairy-Wren has a large purplish-lilac halo; it is confined to tropical northern Australia. The male of the Red-Backed Fairy-Wren has striking bold re-and black plumage, most dramatic when, the male makes display flights low between shrubs with scarlet back feathers fluffed out, becoming a living ball of fire.





	Well-known blue wrens of southern Australia, the male Splendid Fairy-Wren (top left) is entirely blue and black, the male Superb Fairy-Wren (bottom left and flight) has white beneath. The females of both these and other fairy-wrens have only a touch of colour, usually confined to the tail. The nest is in a low shrub, domed, with side entry.





				Australia has five species of robin with bright red in the plumage, the colour ranging from rose pink through flame red to scarlet and crimson. The Red-capped Robin is easily identified by it large crimson patch forehead; all other red robins have smaller white forehead spots. The Hooded Robin (flight) has a bold plumage pattern, with the head entirely black; from breast to under-tail is white.