BO WER-BIRDS. 



34 1 



small flocks, and may often be seen on the ground near the sides of the rivers. 

 The adult male is entirely of a deep, shining blue-black, closely resembling satin, 

 with the exception of the wings and tail, which are of a deep velvety black. 

 The female has all the upper-parts greyish green ; the under surface being similar, 

 but lighter and washed with yellow ; and each feather of the under surface 

 having a crescentic mark of dark brown near the extremity. Young males 

 closely resemble the females. There are other species of the genus. 





SATIN BOWER-BIRDS AND NEST (£ liat. size). 



spotted Bower- The five species of this genus differ from the preceding group 



Birds. |jy having the nostrils exposed, instead of completely hidden by silky 

 plumes; while from an allied form they are distinguished by the nostrils being 

 oval in shape and overhung by a membrane behind, as well as by the longer an. I 

 more slender beak. In colour the upper-parts of the common spotted bower- 

 bird (Chlamydodera maculata) are deep brown, as are also the wings and tail: 

 each feather of the back and rump, as well as the scapularies, being tipped with 

 a large buff patch ; the under-parts are greyish white. The male is ornamented 

 with a broad crest of rose pink, which is wanting in his partner. 



Much similarity exists between the habits of the satin bower-bird and 

 those of the spotted bower-bird. The latter species is, however, extremely shy, 



