6g



am looking forward, for mine are youthful birds. Sometimes I

have my doubts as to their being male and female! They are

so much more of a size than the Siberians or the Australians.



AUSTRALIAN BOWER-BIRDS.


By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S.


Simultaneously with the November copy of “ Avicultural

Magazine,” there came to hand the October copy of “ Bird

Lore,” the official organ of the Audubon Societies of America ;

it contained an article on the Bower-birds of Australia, by Mr.

A. J. Campbell, of Melbourne ; from which I have culled the

following, not quoting in extenso, but abbreviating and in some

instances, givinghis description in my own phraseology, think¬

ing the}'’ would be of much interest to our members, specially so

just now, Dr. Butler having brought one of them (the Satin-bird)

before our notice in the November issue, “ Avicultural Magazine.”


If they could be obtained at moderate prices they would

make delightful inmates of our bird rooms, especially the last

two, but they are very rare and I do not think these two have

yet been imported.


The Satin-bird (.Ptilonorhynchus violaceus).


He describes the male as being specially beautiful in his

satin-like, blue-black coat and beautiful violet eyes ; the female

is clad iu a grayish-greenish mottled dress ; which is also the

colour of the young; the adult plumage is not obtained till

the third or fourth year, some say not till the seventh 3 r ear.


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, but occasionally three are laid.


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

bush, constructed of twigs and leaves loosely put together. He

notes as strange the fact that these birds, building so neat a

bower (the walls of which are i2in. high, ioin. long, and 6in.

apart) yet building so slovenly a nest; he further states that

more than one pair of birds frequent the same bower—a lovers’

bower—a rendezvous for match-making.


The Spotted Bower-bird (Chlamydodera metadata ) inhabits



