OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 251 



SPOTTED BOWERBIRD 



Chlamydodera maculata, Gld. 



Klam i-dod'e-rd mak-u-la'td 



Chlamus, a mantle ; dera, neck ; maculatus, spotted. 



Chlamydera maculata, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., vol. iv., 



pi.. 8. 

 Geographical Distribution.— Areas 2, 3, 6, 7, 9. 



Key to the Species. — Male — Band of bright lilac feathers on nape ; 

 upper surface mottled all over with reddish spots or bars at tips of 

 feathers ; throat and sides of body with spots or bars of brown ; 

 head rufous-brown, slightly varied with spots. 



Female— '^o lilac band ; flanks barred with dusky ; throat light 

 reddish or tawny, slightly varied with dusky-brown cross-bars and 

 edges to feathers. 



While the Satin Bower-bird frequents tlie humid areas of 

 south-east AustraHa, the Spotted species is to be found in the 

 drier back country. Both species extend their distribution 

 in a northerly direction, each, however, keeping to the class of 

 country it loves best, marked out by the different aspects 

 presented by the flora and fauna. 



The Spotted Bower-bird is an exceedingly shy species, and 

 apparently possessed of a bad temper, for, if disturbed whilst 

 at play in its bower, it will fly rapidly from tree to tree, 

 making a great fuss, and uttering its hard, raucous notes, as 

 though scolding the intruder. 



The bower of this bird, Hke that of the previously-mentioned 

 species, is a wonderful example of ornithological architecture, 

 surpassed only in design and workmanship by the bower of 

 the New Guinea Amblyornis. One bower I found near the 

 junction of the Murray and Darling Kivers, elegantly decorated 

 with bright quandong fruit, pieces of broken bottles, and 

 bleached bones of^smallanimals, was built amongst the myalls, 



