152 



reputation it has earned atliotne, in every countr}' to which 

 it is introduced. — Ed.] 



* * * 



The Humming Bird that Wanted Light. A pair ot 

 Broad-tailed Humming Birds built their nest on an electric 

 light fixture in the porch of a residence in Colorado vSprings. 

 The light is direct!}' in front of the door, which swings out, 

 and comes within a few inches of tlie lamp when opened. lu 

 spite of people passing in and out quite frequently, and sitting 

 on the porch much of the time, the}' did not seem to disturb 

 the bird. Two young were successfully reared in the nest and 

 flew away. The parent bird (or possibly another attracted by 

 the nest) was seen to come back once after the joung had 

 flown, examine the nest and then depart. 



Edward R. Warren. 

 £Tliis account, of which the above is a very brief extract, was 



illustrated by a very good reproduction of a photograph of 



the sitting bird. — Ed. J 



* * * 



The following two accounts are compiled from Mr. A. J. Campbell's 

 article on Bower Birds which appeared in "Bird Lore" for October 

 1900. — Ed. 



The Satin Bird {Plilonorhynchus violaceus). He describes 

 the male as being specially beautifiil in his satin-like blue- 

 black coat and beautiful violet eyes ; the female is clad in a 

 grayish-greenish mottled dress, which is also the color of the 

 young; the adult plumage is not obtained till the third or 

 fourth year, some say not till the seventh year. 



It is found principally in the coastal forests of Eastern 

 Australia, they thrive in captivity, are poor whistlers, yet readily 

 learn to articulate words and are good mimics. 



He describes the eggs as being of a rich cream colour, 

 irregularly blotched with brown, nearly if inches long, two 

 being the usual clutch, occasionally three are laid. 



The nest is usually found at the height of 12ft. in a tree or 

 bush, constructed of twigs and leaves loosel}' put together. He 

 notes as strange the fact of these birds buildings© neat a bower 

 (the walls of which are I2in. high, loiii. long and 6in. apart) 

 should build so slovenly a nest he further states that more 



