PLATE 



XLI. 



GENUS PTILONORHYNCHUS (KM). 



fJ^HERE are two members of this genus, both inhabiting Australia. 



PTILONORHYNCHUS HOLOSERICEUS (KM). 



SATIN BOWER-BIRD. 



THE range of this species extends along the east coast, from Victoria to the southern part of 

 Queensland. It is confined to the brushes in those parts, and is never found far in the interior. 



Its food consists of berries and fruits, particularly the fruit of the Moreton Bay fig-tree, which 

 abounds in those localities. It also feeds to a small extent on insects. 



When feeding it is possible to approach very near to it, but at other times it is very shy, and 

 on the least disturbance flies to the top of some high tree. 



It is found sometimes singl}' and at other times in small flocks. 



Its bower is one of the most elaborate constructed by any of this class of birds. First of all it 

 makes a platform of sticks, on which it builds the bower. This is formed of twigs and grasses, curved 

 inwards, so as to nearly meet at the top. The inside is decorated with the feathers of different birds, 

 and the floor and entrances are strewn with shells, bones and other articles, collected from the whole 

 country around. 



When in captivity it builds a bower every year, and thus it has been possible to watch the 



process. 



The sexes differ so materially in colouring that both have been figured on the plate. 



The male has the whole of the plumage deep blue, with the exception of the wings and tail, 

 which arc black, edged with blue ; irides, light blue, with a circle of red round the pupil ; bill, bluish 

 horn-colour, yellow at the tip; legs and feet, brownish-yellow. 



The female has the head and upper surface greyish-green ; wings and tail, dark brown, the 

 feathers edged with darker colour ; under surface, greenish-yellow, each feather having a crescent-shaped 

 mark of dark brown near the extremity ; irides, blue, with a red ring round the pupil ; bill, dark horn- 

 colour ; legs and feet, light green. 



Habitats : The coast of Victoria, New South Wales, and part of Queensland. 



