The Gardener Bower-bird 



I4-I 



diminutive scale. I immediately recognized the famous 

 ' nests ' described by the hunters of Bruijn, but I did not 

 then suspect that they had anything to do with the con- 

 structions of the Bower-builders. After well observing the 

 whole, I gave strict orders to my hunters not to dcstro)' the 

 little building. That, however, was an unnecessary caution, 

 since the Papuans take great care never to disturb these 

 nests or bowers, even if they are in the way. The birds 

 had evidentl)' enjoyed the greatest quiet until we happened, 

 unfortunately for them, to come near them. We had 

 reached the height of about 4800 feet, and after half-an- 

 hour's walk, we were at our journey's end. 



" The Bower. — I now had full employment in the 

 preparation of my treasure, and I gave orders to my people 

 not to shoot many of the birds. The bower I had first 

 seen was the nearest to my halting-place, and one morning 

 I took colours, brushes, pencils, and gum, and went to the 

 spot, where I made the sketch which I now publish. 

 While I was there, neither host nor hostess were at home, 

 and I could not wait for them. My hunters saw them 

 going in and out, when they watched their movements to 

 shoot them. I could not ascertain whether this bower was 

 occupied by one pair, or by several pairs of birds, or whether 

 the sexes were in equal or unequal numbers — whether the 

 male alone was the builder, or whether the wife assisted in 

 the construction. I believe, however, that such a bower 

 lasts for several seasons. 



" The Amblyornis selects a flat, even place around the 

 trunk of a small tree, about as thick and as high as a 

 medium-sized walking-stick. It begins by constructing at 

 the base of the tree a kind of cone, chiefly of moss, of the 

 size of a man's hand. The trunk of the tree becomes the 

 central pillar, and the whole building is supported by it. 

 On the top of the central pillar twigs are then methodically 

 placed in a radiating manner resting on the ground, 



