Variegated Warbler.

Modern names Variegated Fairywren, Purple-backed Fairywren &amp Lavender-flanked Wren. Modern binomial name Malurus lamberti First described Vigors &amp Horsfield, 1827 Distribution Mainland Australia. Reference Readers Digest Book of Birds 2nd ed 1986 Page: 442, ill. 442-443 From: John Lewin’s, &quotThe Birds of New South Wales&quot, 1822 edition. As the first free professional artist in Australia, John Lewin holds a significant place in the history and development of colonial art. The Birds of New South Wales was the first published series on Australian birds and a testament to Lewin’s artistic skills and keen sense of observation. In a break from tradition, Lewin not only utilised unusual compositions to depict his subjects but for the first time we see the beginning of a true representation of Australian botany in each illustration. In producing the Birds of New South Wales, Lewin encountered enormous difficulties and tribulations which culminated in a very complicated publishing history. PUBLISHING CHRONOLOGY 1806 In Sydney he receives subscriptions, sixty seven from Sydney and six from London. 1808 Published, with the six London subscribers receiving their copies, while the sixty seven copies destined for the Sydney subscribers go missing in transit, never to be found. 1813 Decides to publish a Sydney edition but only 13 copies are known to have been produced. 1822 After his death his wife arranges the publication of an enlarged London edition with eight more illustrations. 1838 A reissue of the 1822 edition with a new publication date. (The 1822 edition of Lewin’s work is the earliest that would ever conceivably be available for purchase of the individual plates.)