GLOSSY STARLINGS. 167 



selves remarkable " runs " or " bowers," composed of twigs and 

 sticks, and decorated in a very fanciful manner, the intention of 

 which is by no means obvious. 



Sub-Fiwiily I. 



THE GLOSSY STARLINGS. PTILORHYNCHIN/E.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill strong, moderate, with the sides compressed, and 

 the culmen curved to tip, which is emarginated ; the wings moderate and pointed ; 

 the tail of various lengths, and graduated or even; the tarsi strong and covered with 

 broad scales ; the toes long, strong, the lateral ones unequal, the hind toe long and 

 strong. 



These remarkable Starlings, called by Mr. Gould Bower-Birds, 

 are peculiar to Australia, where they are found in the forests that 

 border the principal rivers, as well as in the cedar bushes. When 

 perched on the lofty branches of the trees, they emit loud and 

 harsh notes, which, with regard to one of the species, can only be 

 compared to the noises of the domestic cat. In the autumn they 

 congregate in small flocks, and are then often seen on the ground. 

 The adult males of the Satin Bower-Birds are more rarely seen than 

 the females and old males, and these latter are supposed to be from 

 two to three years old before they exhibit their rich glossy black 

 plumage. They feed on various berries and fruits, especially wild 

 figs and the native cherry, which, when ripe, form their chief food. 

 They are very destructive to the ripening crops of the settlers. 



The typical species is named" — 



The Satin Bower-Bird {Ptilorhynclms holosericus). The localities fa- 

 vourable to the habits of the satin-bird are the luxuriant and thickly-foliaged 

 brushes stretching along the coast of the Australian continent from Port Philip 

 to Moretown Bay. It is not migratory, but ranges from one district to another, 

 either for the purpose of varying the nature of its food or of obtaining a more 

 abundant supply. It appears to be wholly graminivorous or frugivorous, or, if 

 not exclusively so, insects form but a small portion of its diet. Independently 

 of numerous berry-bearing plants and shrubs, the brushes it inhabits are 

 studded with enormous fig trees, some of them towering to the height of two 

 hundred feet. Among the lofty branches of these giants of the forest, the 

 satin bower-bird and several species of pigeons find, in the small white fig with 

 Avhich the branches are loaded, an abundant supply of a favourite food ; they 

 also commit considerable depredations on ripening corn. These birds have the 



* tttLXov, ptilon, afeathci", pvvxos, rynchos, a beak. 



