PLATE 



XL. 



GENUS CALORNIS (G. R. Gray). 



SEVERAL species of this genus have been discovered in the islands adjacent to Australia, but only 

 one inhabits that continent. 



CALORNIS METALLTCA (G. R. Gray). 



SHINING CALORNIS. 



THIS species is found in the northern part of Australia, and also in most of the islands of the East 

 India group. 



Its food consists principally of seeds and berries. 



The most peculiar thing about this bird is that a great number always build together, sometimes 

 as many as fifty or sixty nests being found on the same tree. The nest is composed of portions of 

 climbing plants interwoven together, and lined with strips of bark, small leaves and fine fibres. The eggs 

 are a bluish-grey colour, thinly spotted with pink, though in some there are no markings. They are 

 either two or three in number, and are one inch long and four-fifths of an inch broad. 



The sexes do not differ in appearance. 



The general plumage is a mixture of dark green and purple ; the wings and tail are bluish- 

 black, washed on the margins with bronzy-green ; irides, red ; bill and feet, black. 



Habitats : Northern part of Australia, and most of the islands from there northwards to the 

 coast of China. 



rTTLONORHYNCHUS RAWNSLEYI (Bigg). 



RAWNSLEY'S BOWER-BIRD. 



IT is very difficult to decide whether this is a distinct species, or a hybrid between the Satin-bird and 

 the Regent-bird. It certainly partakes of the nature and appearance of both birds ; but, on the other 

 hand, there is the fact that hybrids between different species very rarely, if ever, exist in a state of 

 nature. However, further investigation may clear up this point. 



It inhabits the brushes of Queensland, where, like both the before-mentioned species, it builds a 



bower. 



