20 | THE ORCHID REVIEW. 4 
though scarcely a ray of sunshine penetrated the branches, and the ground 
was almost destitute of vegetation. Suddenly he came upon a most 
remarkable specimen of the industry of an animal, which he describes as 
“a hut or bower close to a small meadow enamelled with flowers.” The 
structure is described as about two feet high and three feet in diameter, — 
conical in shape, and with an opening on the side. “ All the stems used ‘ 
by the Amblyornis are the thin stems of an Orchid (Dendrobium), am 
epiphyte forming large tufts on the mossy branches of great trees, easily 
bent like straw, and generally about twenty inches long. The stalks had ) 
the leaves, which are small and straight, still fresh and living on them, — 
which leads me to conclude that this plant was selected by the bird to — 
prevent rotting and mould in the building, since it keeps alive fora long 
time, as is so often the case with epiphytical Orchids.” 
“ Before the cottage there is a meadow of moss. This is brought to the 
spot and kept free from grass, stones, or anything that would offend the — 
eye. Onthis green tuft, flowers and fruit of pretty colour are placed so 
as to form an elegant little garden. The greater part of the decoration 
is collected round the entrance to the nest, and it would appear that the — 
husband offers there his daily gifts to his wife. The objects are very 
various, but always of vivid colour. There were some fruits of a Garcinia, 
like a small-sized apple. Others were the fruits of Gardenias of a deep 
yellow colour in the interior. I saw also small rosy fruits, probably of a 
Scitamineous plant, and beautiful rosy flowers of a splendid new Vaccinium. 
There were also fungi and mottled insects placed on the turf. As soon asf 
the objects are faded they are moved to the back of the hut.” 
One of the native names of the bird is said to be “ Tukan Robon,” which 
means a gardener. It is also called ‘ Buruk Gurea,” or master-bird, from 
its power of imitating the notes of other birds. It would appear to bea 
very clever bird, and, as Beccari remarks, ‘“* The passion for flowers and 
gardens is a sign of good taste and refinement,” though it seems to have 
become an Orchidist from utilitarian motives. 
27 SG aes ae 
ot igen as 
It is perhaps not surprising 
to learn that ‘‘ the Papuans take ee care never to disturb these nests or 
bowers, even if they are in their way.” The plant seems to be in no danger 
of extermination by collectors, but if of no value from a decorative stand- 
point one would at least like to see so interesting an Orchid. 
