284 BACKBONED ANIMALS. 
The eggs, from four to six, are pale green, with dark spots 
or streaks. The young are fully fledged in three weeks. 
Allied is the bobolink 
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 
(Fig. 312), or reed-bird of 
the Southern States, so 
famous for its rich notes. 
Allied to this family 
are the several Australian 
bower - birds, remarkable 
for erecting play-houses 
(Fig. 313) distinct from 
the nest. 
Fic. 313.—Bower-bird, showing the NoTE,—In the satin bower- 
bower and the ornaments collected. bird the bower or play-house is 
the work of the male or males, 
and formed on the ground. The sides are made of twigs and small 
branches, planted by the birds in the ground, joined at the top and 
forming a tunnel, on the floor of which is placed bird dric-a-brac— 
highly-colored shells, pebbles, white bones, parrot-feathers, and glit- 
tering objects of all kinds. Here the male and female dance about, 
changing the ornaments, and showing their delight in various ways. 
It is, in fact, a bird ball-room. The nest is generally placed in the 
near vicinity. : 
The Gardener-Bird * (Amblyornis inornata) is about 
the size of the robin, of a rufous-brown hue, and is only 
found on the Island of Papua. 
* Instead of a bower, it erects a complete cabin (Fig. 314), and 
plants a garden about it. A small tree is selected, and one foot and 
ahalf from the ground a cone of moss is fastened to form a support 
for the roof, the latter being built of slender branches of an orchid se- 
lected for its vitality, the twigs resting against the moss, the other ends 
entering the ground one foot and a half from the center-post, and ar- 
ranged about until a perfect roof is the result, an opening on one side 
being left as a door, as shown in Fig, 314. The roof is thatched and 
interwoven with other pieces until weather-tight, the orchids continu- 
ing their growth and forming a perfect roof. About the entrance or 
