^°'; ^g^''] Camera Craft Notes. 55 



that day. The bower was a neat, dainty little structure, much 

 akin to those that I have photographed in Victoria. It was built 

 between two tussocks of grass, and, as usual, was set off with 

 a liberal sprinkhng of blue feathers, small bones, and leaves. The 

 dense nature of the surrounding scrub rendered photography 

 practically an impossibility, nor did I get much opportunity of 

 adding to my knowledge of the Bower-Bird's habits " at home." 



It was in Victoria that the accompanying photograph was 

 taken. Some idea as to how the bird works is conveyed by it. 

 Bower-Birds' are not " jerry builders." The foundation of the 

 bower is strongly laid, the walls are matted closely and with 

 infinite care, and the bird never seems happy if one piece of 

 " timber " is out of alignment. In fact, the work seems a case of 

 " more is it worth to have striven than in the end to attain," for 

 the walls are frequently pulled down and rebailt as though for 

 the pleasure of the labour. Often, too, the builder will pull a 

 few sticks from near the " front " entrance and hop round to the 

 " back " with them. After suspiciously eyeing the camera for 

 a time, the bird shown in the photograph half-viciously pulled a 

 strand from one end of the bower, hopped around to the opposite 

 end, and rammed it in with three quick little wriggles of the head. 

 This is typical. The bird seems to discover more pushing power 

 when its strong feet are planted well apart. 



The curious effect created by the eyes protruding is also 

 customary. The male Satin Bower-Bird's eyes are the most 

 remarkable I have seen in any bird. Seen from different angles, 

 they ghnt and gleam with myriads of bright colours. At times 

 they are of the same hue as the owner's lustrous I'eaLhers ; and, 

 again, they present the same brilliant red as do the eyes of the 

 Crested Bell-Bird [Oreoica cristata). 



But there is nothing more fascinating, when the Bower-Bird 

 is at play, than its crazy dancing. A spirit seems to take possession 

 of the bird at irregular intervals. Then, without any preparatory 

 exercise, its wings go up almost straight above its back, the 

 primaries sometimes touching. Holding them thus, it bows 

 gracefully, emits the saw-like " wheeze," and hops about in a 

 most fantastic fashion, occasionally in the bower, but more often 

 round and about it. Better still is the performance in which the 

 bird minces about the bower on the tips of its toes. Sometimes 

 this is done while the wings are raised, but the bird does not 

 appear to be capable of sustaining itself in such position for more 

 than half a minute or so. 



A fact of passing interest is that the female appears uninterested. 

 This, of course, is not unusual ; most female birds, I believe, are 

 adepts at the art of disdain ; but in this case the male seems to 

 be equally haughty. So far as I have seen, he takes very little 

 notice (except of a hostile character) of his mate. Seemingly, 

 hfe for him is worth while chiefly for the interest and satisfaction 

 he gets out of dancing and bower-dressing. — A. H. Chisholm, 

 R.A.O.U. Brisbane, 15/5/16. 



