Perplexing Scrubwren (Sericornis virgatus) - HBW 12, p. 584

Taxonomy: Crateroscelis virgata Reichenow, 1915, Maeanderberg, 600 m, middle Sepik River, New Guinea.
Part of a species group that also includes S. nouhuysi, S. beccarii and S. magnirostra. Often treated as conspecific with S. beccarii, and a number of as yet unnamed forms from Bomberai Peninsula (Fakfak Mts, Kumawa Mts) and from E New Guinea (Mt Bosavi/L Kutubu) may belong with either species; in other areas, however, the two seem to behave as separate species, replacing each other altitudinally with little or no overlap. Present species may form link between S. beccarii of lowlands and hills and S. nouhuysi of mountains; intergrades with former known from Mt Bosavi, where specimen from 750 m a typical beccarii, and from 1520 m one specimen almost typical of present species and another intermediate between the two (most resembling beccarii); specimen from 1450 m on nearby Mt Sisa is also intermediate, but closer to present species. Genetic and vocal studies required in order to help to unravel relationships within this complex of poorly known taxa. Five subspecies currently recognized.