INSESSORES. 455 



on a very thick platform of thicker twigs, is nearly 4 feet in 

 length and almost as much in breadth, and has here and 

 there a small snail-shell or berry dropped in as a decoration. 



The following note relative to this bird is extracted from 

 Mr. Macgillivray's " Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. 

 Rattlesnake : " — 



" Two days before we left Cape York, I was told that some 

 Bower-birds had been seen in a thicket or patch of low scrub, 

 half a mile from the beach ; and after a long search I found 

 a recently-constructed bower, 4 feet long and 18 inches high, 

 with some fresh berries lying upon it. The bower was 

 situated near the border of the thicket, the bushes composing 

 which were seldom more than 10 feet high, growing in 

 smooth sandy soil without grass. 



" Next morning I was landed before daylight, and pro- 

 ceeded to the place in company with Paida, taking with us a 

 large board on which to carry off the bower as a specimen. 

 I had great difficulty in inducing my friend to accompany me, 

 as he was afraid of a war party of Gomokudins, which tribe 

 had lately given notice that they were coming to fight the 

 Evans Bay people. However, I promised to protect him, and 

 loaded one barrel with ball, which gave him increased confi- 

 dence ; still he insisted upon carrying a large bundle of spears 

 and a throwing-stick. 



" While watching in the scrub, I caught several glimpses 

 of the tewinga (its native name) as it darted through the 

 bushes in the neighbourhood of the bower, announcing its 

 presence by an occasional loud churr-r-r, and imitating the 

 notes of various other birds, especially the Tropidorlu/nchus. I 

 never before met with a more wary bird ; and, for a long time, 

 it enticed me to follow it to a short distance, then flying off and 

 alighting on the bower it would deposit a berry or two, run 

 through and be off again before I could reach the spot. All 

 this time it was impossible to get a shot. At length, just as 

 my patience was becoming exhausted, I saw the bird enter 



