394 



COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 



colour. Other genera have similar and not less extra- 

 ordinary characteristics. Allied to the well - known 

 Australian bower-ljird are several species of Amhlyornis, 

 some of which construct playing or coursing grounds of 

 so remarkable a nature that, were not the facts attested 

 by well-known naturalists, they would be almost in- 

 eredil)le. One {A. Mnsgravianus) builds a raised ring 



BOWER OF AMBLYOUMS [A. MllSf/mn'aillls). 



around a small tree, this miniature circus being about 

 two fe&t in height and provided with a parapet, the 

 whole having the appearance of a marble fountain, while 

 small sticks placed in ^'arious positions on the tree 

 resemble jets of water. But singular as is this bower, it 

 is eclipsed Ijy that of another species (A. subalaris). 

 This bird, also selecting a small tree as the centre of its 

 Iniilding, forms around its base a bank of moss, which it 

 decorates by inserting flowers. The ring or circus is 



