342 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



neighbouiliood, and frequently find that the missing article is 

 doing duty as decoration to the edifice. 



This species is more plentiful than another Bower Bird which 

 will presently be described. As is the case with many birds, the 

 adult male is very different from the young male and the female 

 in his colouring. His plumage is a rich, deep purple, so deep 

 indeed as to appear black when the bird is standing in the shade. 

 It is of a close texture, and glossy as if made of satin, presenting 

 a lovely appearance when the bird runs about in the sunbeams. 

 The specific name, holosericeus, is composed of two Greek words 

 signifying all silken, and is very appropriate to the species. The 

 female is not in the least Uke the male, her plumage being 

 almost uniform olive green, and the young male is coloured in 

 a similar manner. 



Another species of Bower Bird inhabits New South Wales, 

 and on account of its variegated plumage is called the Spotted 

 Bowes Bibd (Chlamydera maculatd). 



The bower which is built by this bird is of very great com- 

 parative size, being sometimes a full yard in length, and the 

 arches liigher than those of the previous species. Long grass 

 is plentifully interwoven among the twigs, and the decorations 

 of stones, shells, and feathers extend to a considerable distance 

 from either end of the bower. Mr. Gould mentions that the 

 bird places the heaviest stones so as to keep the twigs in their 

 places, and that it wiU even bring the skulls and bones of the 

 small mammalia to aid in the decoration of its bower. 



These birds are allied to the common starling, and belong to 

 a small group of that family which have gained the name of 

 Glossy Starlings on account of their satin-like plumage. 



The colour of the Spotted Bower Bird is warm brown, profusely 

 spotted with buff, and upon the back of the neck there is a kind 

 of falling ruff or collar of long feathers which shine like spun 

 glass, and are of a lovely rose pink colour. The generic name 

 " Chlamydera " literally signifies " cloak-necked," and is given to 

 the bird on account of this peculiarity. The classical reader will 

 remember that the chlamys was a short cloak or scarf, that could 

 be thrown round the neck or over the shoulder at the convenience 

 of the wearer. 



