1895.] The Birds of New Guinea. 415 
work requires unflagging diligence, but the time of greatest 
activity probably is during the pairing season. 
The best authorities describe the cabin of the Gardener as 
built around the central stem of some bush, or as enclosing a 
cluster of shoots; in front the garden is placed, and is set out 
with that strangely rational, though fantastic system of horti- 
culture that has gained the bird its name. If there is no 
growth in the garden, we may infer that this branch of culti- 
vation formed no part of the grand design; the results were 
all that was sought and these were to be always above ground. 
These birds have been classified by some naturalists with the 
Paradisea, though nothing in their appearance, habits or song 
(they are said to sing sweetly) seems to bear out such assign- 
ment. 
' This curious and fascinating bird is very local in its range, 
being confined so far as known to the Arfak Mountains in the 
northwest of New Guinea. It is only of recent years that it 
has been studied by scientifically; Mr. Wallace knew nothing 
of it nor have naturalists since his visit to the great island added 
much to our knowledge. Dr. Becceari was the first to intro- 
duce the Gardener to the world, and his graphic account of 
the abode of the little artificer has not been surpased in merit 
nor greatly amplified in details by subsequent investigators. 
The Italian traveller, as in a picture, shows the hut or cabin 
close upon a small, flower besprinkled meadow. It is built 
around the stem of a little tree as thick and tall as an ordinary 
walking-stick. The materials used are moss chiefly, and form 
a structure about three feet in diameter. In shape the nest is 
conical, reminding one irresistibly in its whole appearance of 
the head covering Robinson Crusoe is usually represented as 
wearing. Inside is a little gallery or runway built along 
the walls. The garden is arranged before the hut decked 
out as we haveseen. Amblyornis—simple in attire and color- 
ing as his specific name indicates—is now a favorite illustra- 
tion with theorists of the adaptation of animate life to its 
surroundings. Certainly its dun and sober clothing assimilates 
easily with the tones of soil and vegetation around. Its home 
