155 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Tj^LEGANT and ingenious as are the structures and 

 -^-^ collections of the satin bower-bird, the species of the 

 allied genus Ghlamydera display still greater architec- 

 tural abilities, and more extensive collective and deco- 

 rative powers. 



The spotted bower-bird* is an inhabitant of the inte- 

 rior. Its probable range, in Mr. Gould's opinion, is 

 widely extended over the central portions of the Austra- 

 lian continent ; but the only parts in which he observed 

 it, or from which he procured specimens, were the dis- 

 tricts immediately to the north of the colony of New 

 South Wales. During his journey into the interior he 

 saw it in tolerable abundance at Brezi, on the river 

 Mokai, to the northward of the Liverpool plains ; and it 

 was also equally numerous in all the low scrubby ranges 

 in the neighbourhood of the Namoi, as well as in the 

 open brushes that intersect the plains on its borders. 

 Mr. Gould is gifted with the eye of an observer ; but, 

 from the extreme shyness of its disposition, the bird 

 generally escapes the attention of ordinary travellers, 

 and it seldom allows itself to be approached near enough 

 for the spectator to discern its colours. Its ' harsh, grat- 

 ing, scolding note,' betrays its haunts to the intruder ; 

 but, when disturbed, it seeks the tops of the highest 

 trees, and generally flies off to another locality. 



Mr. Gould obtained his specimens most readily by 



Chlamydera maculata (Gould). 



