PTILONORHYNCHIN^. 
destructive to the ripening crops of the settlers. The extraordinary bower-like structures which are constructed by these 
birds have been described by Mr. Gould in the following words. " They are usually placed under the shelter of the 
branches of some overhanging tree, in the most retired part of the forest, and differ considerably in size. The base 
consists of an extensive and rather convex platform of sticks firmly interwoven, on the centre of which the bower itself 
is built ; this, like the platform on which it is placed, and with which it is interwoven, is formed of sticks and twigs, 
but of a more slender and flexible description, the tips of the twigs being so arranged as to turn inwards, and nearly 
meet at the top ; in the interior of the bower the materials are so placed that the forks of the twigs are always 
presented outwards, by which arrangement not the slightest obstruction is oiFered to the passage of the birds. The 
interest of this curious bower is much enhanced by the manner in which it is decorated, at and near the entrance, with 
the most gaily coloured articles that can be collected, such as the blue tail-feathers of the rose-bUl and Pennantian 
parrots, bleached bones, the shells of snails, &c. Some of the feathers are stuck in among the twigs, while the others, 
with the bones and shells, are strewed about near the entrances. For what purpose these curious bowers are made is 
not yet perhaps fully understood ; they are certainly not used as a nest, but as a place of resort for many individuals of 
both sexes, which, when there assembled, run through and around the bower in a sportive and playful manner, and 
that so frequently that it is seldom entirely deserted." 
1. P. //o/o^ericeMS Kuhl. PI. col. 395. 422. — Corvus squamulosus I 2. V. Smithii Yig. & Horsf. Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 264. — Ptilono- 
///. ; Pyrrhocorax violaceus Fieill. ; Ptilonorhynchus Mac Leayii | rhynchiis viridis Wagl. ; Kitta virescens Temm. PI. col. 396. 
Lath. Vig. Horsf. 
Chlamydera Gould.* 
Bill moderate ; the culmen elevated and arched to the tip, which is emarginated ; the sides compressed, 
the lateral margins curved, and the gonys moderate and slightly advancing upwards ; the nostrils basal, 
lateral, and exposed, with the opening rounded, and pierced in a membrane. Wings long and pointed, 
with the first quill much shorter than the second, which is rather shorter than the third and fourth ; 
these are equal and longest. Tail long and slightly rounded. Tarsi longer than the middle toe, robust, 
and covered in front with broad scales. Toes long and strong, with the outer toe longer than the inner, 
and the hind toe long and robust ; the claws long, curved, and acute. 
It is in the forests and brushes of Australia that these birds are found ; from their extreme shyness they are rarely 
observed, except when they seek the water holes to drink, and, if disturbed, they mount to the topmost branches of the 
loftiest trees, or fly off to a fresh locality, at the same time giving utterance to a harsh disagreeable note. Their food 
consists almost entirely of fruits and seeds. Mr. Gould informs us that the runs or bowers of these birds are placed on 
the plains studded with small trees, and in the brushy clothing of the lower hills. They are considerably longer and 
more avenue-like than those of the satin bower birds, being in many instances three feet in length. They are 
outwardly built of twigs, and beautifully lined with tall grasses, so disposed that their heads nearly meet ; tlie 
decorations are very profuse, and consist of bivalve shells, crania of small mammalia, and other bones. Evident and 
beautiful indications of design are manifest throughout the whole of the bower and decorations formed by this species, 
particularly in the manner in which the stones are placed within the bower, apparently to keep the grasses with which 
it is lined fixed firmly in their places ; these stones diverge from the mouth of the run on each side, so as to form little 
paths, while the immense collection of decorative materials, bones, shells, &c., are placed in a heap before the entrance 
of the avenue ; this ari'angement being the same at both ends. 
1. C. nuchalis (.Tard. & Si^lby), Gould, 111. Orn. pi. 103., B. of 
Austr. pi. 
2. C. mavtdnta Gould, Proc. Z. S. 1836. p. IO6., 
pi., Voy. au Pole Sud, Ois. t. 7- f. 2. 
,S. C. ? . Voy. au Pole Sud, Ois. t. 15. f. 2. 
B. of Austr. 
* Mr. Gould originally established this genus in ]83(), with the name Cnlodom, which ho has since cliangcd to the above. 
4 o 
