Nests, E(j(jSy and Flay-yrounds of Austrcdian Boiver- Birds. 17 



berries of the mistletoe, or on the figs in gardens. Its agree- 

 able note is a clear whistle from tenor down to bass. While 

 the male bird is clad in a beautiful shining coat of dark blue, 

 with eyes and base of bill to match, the female has only a 

 simple (olive green) attire. The females, with probably 

 immature males, have been seen in flocks far from their 

 summer abode. 



" Before nesting begins, the birds build up a play -ground 

 (bower). The finest bowers are nearly in all cases on the 

 sunny side of a lying log, the ground being strewn with 

 moss, flowers, yellow and blue Lory parrot's feathers, small 

 bones, and snail-houses, for about a yard in diameter. In 

 the middle is erected a bower about 18 inches in height. 

 When completed, several birds of both sexes run round and 

 through the archway or avenue, picking up, in their joy, some 

 of the nesting (? bower) materials and tossing them about, 

 and we may guess, in their own way, choose partners. 



" As I was watching one day at Cunningham Gap, a fine 

 male bird with a withered fig-leaf in its bill, turning it over, 

 became a prey to me. Half a mile away from the spot I 

 found the nest (but no eggs), 10 feet from the ground, in a 

 small scrub tree. The nest was made of dry sticks, and 

 lined with dry leaves, and was rather shallow. Later, when 

 residing in the Bunya Mountains, I had the satisfaction of 

 getting again a nest with 2 eggs (usual complement), 10 feet 

 from the ground — Date, January 1887." 



I conclude with a brief account of a sensational nesting 

 outing that Mr S. W. Jackson enjoyed amongst these 

 fascinating birds. The notes, which Mr Jackson was kind 

 enough to write specially for me, read as follows : — 



" On December 23rd, 1896, I started from South Grafton 

 and proceeded on my bicycle towards Cloud's Creek, some 

 fifty-nine miles distant, in hopes of finding some good eggs 

 in the scrubs in those parts. However, on reaching my 

 destination, after a good day's riding on my machine, which 

 was heavily loaded with tent, camera, rations, etc., I pitched 

 my camp, and afterwards had a stroll among the ' oak ' trees 

 (two species of Casuarina). In answer to the cries or calls 

 of the Satin Bovver-Bird, I walked about fifty yards from 



VOL. XIV. B 



