g8 Jackson, Haunts of the Spotted Bower-Bird. [.i.f'ckt. 



way were displayed small bones and seeds, and nine large and two 

 small green and long cigar-shaped pods of the native silk- vine 

 (Marsdenia leichhardtiana, F. v. M.) Length of bower proper, not 

 including decorations outside ends of passage, was 24 inches ; width 

 (over all) to edges of outside walls, 20 inches ; width inside passage, 

 j\ inches ; height of grass walls, 14^ inches Bower runs east and 

 west. Walls composed of dead stems of blue-grass [Andropogon 

 sericeus, R. Br.) Hunted about and found a new nest (a perfect 

 specimen) north of the bower about 400 yards It was apparently 

 ready for eggs, and was placed in a green sand-ridge belah (Casuarina 

 siricia, Ait.), 24 feet from the ground. Found several old ones also 

 at this part. Met Mr. Melville Doyle, and showed him the nests, in 

 order that he might know any when he came across them when out 

 riding. Showed him also No. 9 bower. This is the first one T have 

 seen with so many silk-vine pods in it at the one time. One old nest 

 of the Bower-Bird was only 6 feet 8 inches from the ground in a small 

 green bumble tree {Capparis miichelli, Lindl."), and was the lowest 

 that has come under observation. The tree stood on the edge of a 

 plain. Early this morning a powerful " willie willie " passed close 

 to the camp. It is fortunate that it did not strike the tent. 



22nd December. — Walked about 7 miles to the north-west of camp. 

 Found few more old nests of Bower-Birds Did a big day's tramp. 



2ird December. — Few Bower-Birds about. Probably few are 

 breeding, owing to the dry weather. " Willie mllies " getting very 

 severe, and am afraid if one strikes my camp much will be lost. 



2j,th December. — Flock of about 100 Rose-breasted Cockatoos 

 drinking at clay tank early this morning ; they made a great noise 

 Did not see a single Bower- Bird to-day. Everything still and hot. 



2e,th December. — A Bower-Bird opened Christmas Day by carrying 

 on its wonderful mimicry on top of my tent early this morning Much 

 smoke about from bush-fires. Made a great effort to-day to take 

 an instantaneous photograph in front of camp of a Bower-Bird 

 " displaymg," but the heat had affected my camera to such a degree 

 that the instantaneous shutter would not work. Magpies, Grey 

 Struthideas, Black-throated Butcher-Birds, Crested Pigeons, and 

 Bower-Birds picked about the camp to-day. Temperature 100 

 degrees at midnight. 



26th December. — Boxing Day. Nothing to note. 



27th December. — Took photographs showing Bower-Birds' nests in 

 trees, &c. (Plate XI X.^ Found an unusually neat nest of Bower-Bird 

 in a green belah tree, containing two young birds. They appeared only 

 a few days old, and were covered with fine brown down. Mouths 

 yellow inside, skin on head and body black. (Plate XX.) Nest 

 placed 17 feet from the ground ; situation 3 miles north-east of camp 

 and close to Cambo Cambo homestead The birds which owned this 

 nest belonged to No. 2 bower. While I was at the nest the female 

 darted at me, then went into an adjoining tree and made strange 

 noises and much mimicry, imitating Magpie, Grey Butcher-Bird, 

 Grey Struthidea, Noisy Miner, Ground Cuckoo-Shrike, &c. The 

 young birds were kept at the camp for some days. They took food 

 readily, but one very hot day they died, in spite of great care. 



22>th December. — Busy photographing to-day. Developed more 

 plates to-night, retiring at 2.30 a.m. 



