NOTES. 79 



an animal. It was a hut or bower close to a small 

 meadow enamelled with flowers. The whole was on 

 a diminutive scale. I immediately recognised the 

 famous nests described by the hunters of Bruijn. I did 

 not suspect, however, then, that they had anything to 

 do with the constructions of the Chlamydodeae. After 

 well observing the whole, I gave strict orders to my 

 hunters not to destroy the little building. That, how- 

 ever, was an unnecessary caution, since the Papuans 

 take great care never to disturb these nests or bowers, 

 even if they are in their way. The birds had evidently 

 enjoyed the greatest quiet until we happened, unfor- 

 tunately for them, to come near them. We had reached 

 the height of about 4,800 feet, and after half an hour's 

 walk we were at our journey's end." 



THE NEST. 



"I had now full employment in the preparation of 

 my treasure, and I gave orders to my people not to shoot 

 many of the birds. The nest I had seen first was 

 the nearest one to my halting-place. One morning I 

 took colours, brushes, pencils, and gun, and went to 

 the spot. While I was there neither host nor 

 hostess were at home. I could not wait for them. My 

 hunters saw them entering and going out, when they 

 watched their movements to shoot them. I could not 

 ascertain whether this bower was occupied by one pair 

 or by several pairs of birds, or whether the sexes were 



