BOWEE-BIEDS. 
139 
obtained by Mr. Wilson, of Lydstip. In some of the islands 
of the East, the feathers are said to be worn by the chiefs 
in battle as a talisman. 
The Starling family (Sturnid^) is widely distributed, 
and contains many birds of curious habits. One of the 
most curious observations made by Mr. Gould in Australia 
was, that two birds, not uncommon there, construct curious 
" bower-like structures, for the purpose of a playing-ground, 
or hall of assembly.''^ These two birds, named the Satin 
Bower-hird and the Spotted Bower-bird^ collect together 
sticks, and arrange them in a regular form. The bower of 
the spotted bower-bird [CJilamydera maciilata) is much 
longer than that of the satin bower-bird, and more nearly 
resembles an avenue. It is outwardly built of twigs, and is 
lined with tall grasses, so arranged that the tops nearly meet. 
The birds bring together considerable quantities of stones, 
and shells, and bones, which serve to keep the structure 
steadily moored: these pavements extend in a heap be- 
fore the entrance at each end. The birds have an evident 
eye for ornament, for here and there they intermingle with 
the grass and sticks the brightly- coloured tail or wing-fea- 
thers of parroquets, and, in the selection of bones and shells, 
seek for those which are bleached white by the sun. Mr, 
