THE BOWER BIRDS 1515 



"his journey into the interior of New South Wales, both on the plains studded 

 with small trees and in the brushes clothing the lower hills; these were con- 

 siderably longer and more avenue-like than those of the satin bower bird, being 

 in many instances three feet in length. ' ' They are outwardly built of twigs, and 

 beautifully lined with tall grasses, so disposed that their heads nearly meet; the 

 decorations are very profuse, and consist of bivalve shells, crania of small 

 Mammalia and other bones, bleached by exposure to the rays of the sun or 

 from the camp fires of the natives. Evident indications of high instinct are 

 manifest throughout the whole of the bower and decorations formed by this 

 species, particularly in the manner in which the stones are placed within the bower, 

 apparently to keep the grasses with which it is lined fixed firmly in their places. 

 These stones diverge from the mouth of the run on each side so as to form little 

 paths, while the immense collection of decorative materials is placed in a heap 

 before the entrance of the avenue, the arrangement being the same at both ends. In 

 some of the larger bowers, which had evidently been resorted to for many years, I 

 have seen half a bushel of bones, shells, etc. , at each of the entrances. I frequently 

 found these structures at a considerable distance from the rivers, from the borders 

 of. which they could alone have procured the shells and small round pebbly stones; 

 their collection and transportation must therefore be a task of great labor. I fully 

 ascertained that these runs, like those of the satin bower bird, formed the rendez- 

 vous of many individuals. ' ' 



The Papuan representative of the next genus {Amblyornis inornatus} 



has the beak less elevated than in the other genera, and the nostrils 

 Bower 



Bj r< j completely concealed. It is remarkable for building a kind of hut-like 



structure, fronted with what may be termed a garden, which displays 

 a striking appreciation of beauty in its mode of arrangement. The hut, which is 

 always placed at the foot of a large tree, is some two feet in height, and is formed 

 of the stems of orchids, radiating and sloping from a central support, and roofed 

 with a mass of moss, while round it runs a gallery. One side of the hut is left open, 

 and in front of this is the garden, which is decorated with the bright-colored berries 

 and flowers, these being removed as soon as they wither. It may be mentioned here 

 that the ' ' bowers ' ' of the whole group have nothing whatever to do with nesting, 

 and appear to be erected solely for the amusement of the birds. 



There are several other genera pertaining to the family, among which may be 

 mentioned sElurtzdus, as represented by the Australian cat bird (s. mridis). In- 

 stead of building a bower, this species merely clears a space of ground, which may 

 be some eight feet in diameter, where the birds sport. 



