144 BOWER-BIRDS. 



the Bower-Birds of Australia. I will begin with 

 the Satin Bower-Bird (Ptilonorhynchus holose- 

 riceus.) 



The principal feature in the habits of this bird, 

 is the fact (and it is one of no ordinary interest, 

 both to the naturalist and the general admirer of 

 nature,) of its forming a bower-like structure for 

 the purpose of a play-ground or hall of assem- 

 bly ; a circumstance in its economy, which adds 

 another to the many anomalies, if not incongru- 

 ities, of the fauna of Australia. 



These bowers are usuaUy placed under the shel- 

 ter of the branches of some overhanging tree, in 

 the most retired part of a forest. They differ 

 considerably in size, some being much larger than 

 others. The base consists of an extensive and 

 rather convex platform of sticks firmly interwoven, 

 on the centre of which the bower itself is built. 

 This, like the platform on which it is placed, and 

 with which it is interwoven, is formed of sticks 

 and twigs, but of a more slender and flexible de- 

 scription, the tips of the twigs being so arranged as 

 to curve inwards, and nearly meet at the top. In 

 the interior of the bower, the materials are so 

 placed that the forks of the twigs are always pre- 

 sented outwards, by which arrangement not the 

 slightest obstruction is offered to the passage of 

 the birds. The interest of this curious bower is 

 much enhanced by the manner in which it is de- 



