226 INSECTIVORGUS BIRDS 



SPOTTED BOWER-BIRD, 



Chlainydodera macula ta, Gld. 



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

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



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

 iv., pi. 8. 



Geographical Distributiox. — 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 — No lilac band ; flanks barred with dusky ; throat 

 light reddish or tawny, slightly varied with dusky-brown 

 cross-bars and edges to feathers. 



The Spotted Bower-bird frequents the dry half of Victoria, 

 while the Satin species keeps to the wet half. Both 

 extend their distribution in a northerly direction, each 

 keeping to the class of country loved by it, and which 

 present very different faunal and floral aspects. I find 

 this species very shy, though, if disturbed when playing in 

 its bower (the so-called baby cradle of the aborigines), it 

 will fly rapidly from tree to tree, making a great fuss with 

 its hard, scolding notes. The bower, as with that of the 

 other species, is the most wonderful piece of bird architec- 

 ture known, and it has assumed the highest standard of 

 perfection, in that of the Amblyornis of New Guinea. One 

 bower I found near Swan Hill was elegantly decorated 

 with bright quandong fruits, pieces of broken bottles, and 

 the bleached bones of small animals. It was built amongst 

 myalls, being nicely hidden beneath overhanging branches. 

 The length was about 2 feet and the height 10 inches, 



