3? I_i -A- T IE 



GENUS CHLAMYDODERA. 



THIS genus, of which there are four varieties, is very remarkable for the bowers or playing-places which 

 it builds, and in which it spends a great deal of its time. For some time after these structures 

 were noticed, they were thought to be cradles made by the aborigines for their children, but after a 

 great deal of observation their true use was discovered. They must not be confused with the nest, which 

 is entirely separate. 



T 



CHLAMYDODERA NUCHALLS. 



GREAT BOWER-BIRD. 



HIS curious bird, which was first described by Jardine and Selby under the name of Ptilonorhynchus 

 Nuchalis, is sparsely distributed over the north-western coast of Australia. 



Beyond the fact that it constructs a bower, very little is known of its habits. To make the 

 bower, twigs are stuck in the ground and their tops inclined towards one another, the ground inside 

 being strewed with shells. Here, during the pairing season, the birds disport themselves, the males 

 apparently seeking to gain the favour of the females. The structure is generall\ T about 2^ feet long, 

 and 1^ feet wide at each end. 



The head and all the upper surface are greyish-brown ; feathers of the back, wing-coverts and 

 tail, tipped with greyish-white ; on the nape of the neck a rose-pink fascia, consisting of narrow feathers ; 

 under surface, yellowish-grey, the flanks tinged with brown ; irides, bill and feet, brownish-black. 



The female is destitute of the fascia on the back of the neck. 



Habitat : North-western portion of Australia. 



CHLAMYDODERA MACULATA (Gould). 



SP( > TTED B( > 1 1 ER-B1RD. 



ri^HE Spotted Bower-bird inhabits the interior of New South Wales, in the brushes of which it is 

 J- rather abundant. 



In disposition it is extremely shy, so that it is very difficult to approach near enough to 

 observe its appearance or habits. When disturbed it utters a harsh note and flies to the top of a 

 high tree. 



