144 Wonders of the Bird World 



covered with a carpet of the greenest and most delicate 

 moss, which, as it is of a different kind from that growing 

 around on the ground or trees in the vicinity, led me to a 

 conjecture that it had been planted by the bird itself. 

 The surface is scrupulously cleared of all leaves, twigs, etc. 

 In the centre of the basin a small tree, without branches ; 



GROUND PLAN. 



T. Centre pole. 3- Entrance. 



2. Bower. 4 . Twigs, beans, and beetles. 



(From a sketch by Sir William McGregor, published in the Queensland Blue Book for 1892.) 



and about two inches in diameter, is growing. Immediately 

 around this tree, and supported by it to the height of 

 about two feet, is erected a slight structure of small sticks 

 and twigs, placed horizontally, and crossing one another. 

 On the extreme outer edge of the basin a more substantial 

 collection of twigs had been built up, which was arched 

 above, so as to join the collection around the centre pole, 



