BO WER-BIRDS 247 



Australian representatives of the group, the satin bower-bird (Chlamydodera 

 holosericea) is a well-known type, somewhat larger in size than a missel-thrush ; 

 the plumage of the cock being deep shining blue, and that of the female greyish 

 green above and whitish yellow beneath, with stripes of blackish grey. Of this 

 bird, according to a local observer, the scrubs on the sea-coast form the favourite 

 haunts. Occasionally these birds come out to the open forest to feed upon the 

 berries of the mistletoe, or on the figs in gardens. The note is a clear whistle from 

 tenor down to bass. Before nesting begins, the birds build up a play-ground, or 

 bower. The finest bowers in nearly all cases are situated on the sunny side of a 

 lying log, the ground being strewn with moss, flowers, yellow and blue lory-feathers, 

 small bones, and snail-shells, for about a yard in diameter. In the middle is erected 

 a bower about 18 inches in height. When completed, several birds of both sexes 

 run round and through the archway or avenue, picking up some of the materials 

 and tossing them about, and in this way apparently choosing partners. In the 

 case of the nearly allied spotted species (G. maculata) of Queensland, New South 

 Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, the same naturalist states that the bower is 

 unlike the edifice of the satin-bird, which is closed on the top, but open. A cartful 

 of bones — the vertebras of sheep predominating — pieces of glass, unripe wild fruit, 

 even a shilling sometimes, betray the entrance of the bower. In the case of the 

 yellow-spotted bower-bird (0. guttata) at the commencement of the breeding-season 

 several individuals sometimes resort to the same play-ground, where the adult 

 males make a nuptial display. The dimensions of one play-ground were 7 by 5 

 feet. The foundation was a mass of twigs, which raised the floor of the arch 

 about 6 or 8 inches above the general level of the ground, the walls of the arch 

 being some 18 inches in height and 6 inches in thickness, while the total length of 

 the intervening run was approximately 25 inches. In this run were placed thirteen 

 flakes of limestone, together with about the same number of small green pods and 

 a few beans, but no feathers or shells. The nests, which were built of twigs and 

 placed in casuarina trees near the run, each contained a pair of heavily scribbled 

 eggs. Great difference prevails in the various genera in regard to the form and 

 decorations of the bower. In the satin-bird group, as we have just seen, bones 

 take the chief place in the ornamentation, next to which come shells, small pebbles, 

 berries, fruits, and scraps of metal ; much the same thing occurring in the case of 

 the typical bower-birds of the genus Ptilonorhynchus. On the other hand, among 

 the species of the genus Prionodura flowers alone enter into the scheme of decora- 

 tion, so that the bowers approach in character those of the Papuan gardener-bird 

 (Amblyornis), referred to in the next chapter. Very interesting is the fact that 

 the tooth-billed bower-bird (Scenopceetes dentirostris) forms a connecting link in 

 this respect between the more typical members of the family and the so-called cat- 

 birds, as typified by JSlurodus viridis, which also belong to the present group. 

 In place of making a true bower, this bird merely clears an open space, which is 

 decorated with leaves, laid, for the most part, wrong side uppermost. In one case 

 the play-ground was situated among a tangle of " lawyer-palms." This play-ground, 

 which was of considerable size, had been cleared of dead leaves, and was kept 

 scrupulously clean ; but when visited a number of large fresh leaves were strewn 

 over it, apparently as ornaments. In the morning all the birds were noticed low 



