Nests, Eggs, and Play-grounds of Australian Bower-Birds. 43 



Pkionodura newtoniana, De Vis. 

 Golden Bower-Bird. 



Figure. — Sharpe, Birds of Paradise, part i. pi. 7. 

 Reference.— Dq Vis, P.L.S., N.S.W., vol. vii. p. 582. 

 Description of Eggs. — Do Vis, Keport Scientific Expedition to 

 Bellenden-Ker Range, p. 87 (1889). 



Geographical Distribution. — North Queensland. 



Nest. — Cup-shaped, and loosely constructed of fibrous roots, 

 lined with finer material of the same kind, and decorated 

 with a little green moss on the outside (De Vis). 



Eggs. — Clutch (?); pale yellowish-grey, profusely freckled 

 and blotched with pale brown. Dimensions : — 27 mm. (1'06 

 inch) by 19 mm. ('74 inch) (De Vis).i 



Observations. — This, the last-discovered species, and one of 

 the most beautiful of bower- building birds, vying in its 

 golden splendour the Eegent-Bird, shares the shades of the 

 northern scrubs of Queensland with its curious cousin, the 

 Tooth-billed Cat-Bird (Scenopceus deniirostris). 



I cannot do better than give the discoverer's (Mr K. 

 Broadbent) own interesting remarks of this rare and beautiful 

 species, as read before the Natural History Society of 

 Queensland : — 



"Newton's Bower-Bird {Frionodura newtoniana). — This 

 bird was first obtained by me in September 1882 in the 

 Tully Eiver scrubs, though I only secured then an immature 

 specimen, coloured uniformly olive brown upon the upper 

 surface. This — the type — Mr De Vis described. 



" Whilst pursuing my official duties at Herberton in the 

 months of March to May 1889, I met with several examples 

 of a bird that I at once detected to be Newton's Bower-Bird, 

 and amongst them some gaily-coloured, full-plumaged cocks, 

 which, instead of exhibiting the sombre hues of youth, are 

 largely bright yellow coloured, they being, as it is said, 'one 



^Although I have given Mr De Vis's description of the nest and egg, 

 which appear to be taken from specimens furnished by Mr Archibald Meston, 

 I have no doubt in my own mind they are referable to some other bird — 

 possibly the Fly-Robin {Heteromyias), and not to the Golden Bower-Bird. 



