STARLINGS. 



343 



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 collections 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 consider- 

 able distance from the rivers, from the borders of which they could alone have 

 procured the shell sand small round pebbly stones; their collection and trans- 

 portation must therefore be a task of great labour. I fully ascertained that 

 these runs, like those of the satin bower-bird, formed the rendezvous of many 

 individuals." 

 Gardener Bower- The Papuan representative of the next genus (Amblyornis 



Bird. inornatus) has the beak less elevated than in the other genera, and 

 the nostrils 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- 

 coloured 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 ^Elurcedus, as represented by the Australian cat-bird (dE. viridis). 

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

 may be some 8 feet in diameter, where the birds sport. 



THE STARLINGS. 

 Family STURNID^. 



Following the arrangement of Dr. Sharpe, 

 the next family on our list is that of the star- 

 lings, although Mr. Gates, in his Birds of British 

 India, assigns it a very different position. All 

 these birds agree in possessing a wing with 

 five primary quills, and twelve tail - feathers ; 

 the beak being generally, although not invari- 

 ably, slender and curved. The nostrils are clear 

 of the line of the forehead ; but the length of 

 the metatarsus is variable. The characters 

 in which the skull differs from that of the 

 birds of paradise are noticed under that family. 



COMMON STABLING. 



