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ABOUT THE BOWER-BIRD. 
lings, a sub-family of the great Starling family, all the members of 
which are more or less distinguished for architectural skill. He has a 
strong compact bill, with sides compressed, and curved emarginated 
tip ; pointed wings of moderate size ; the tarsi strong, and covered 
with broad scales ; and the toes both long and strong, the lateral ones 
being of unequal length. His habitat is the cedar-bush and the gum- 
tree forest — in the neighbourhood, if possible, of a river. He feeds on 
various fruits and berries, and ranges from place to place when he is in 
want of fresh supplies. He loves to perch among the great shady 
boughs of the huge Australian fig-trees, some of which rise to an 
altitude of two hundred feet ; and here he feeds at will on the small 
white luscious fruits which load the far-spreading branches. In the 
"sweet spring-time" he is always seen with his mate; in autumn, 
small flocks descend to the river-side, choosing those points where 
the bushes fringe the immediate margin of the water. Generally 
he is very watchful and suspicious; but, while feeding, allows him- 
self to be observed without showing any apprehension. It is very 
difficult, however, to surprise the old males. Perched as sentinels 
on the tufted tops of the trees, they no sooner descry the approach 
of any strange or novel object than they give warning to those of 
their companions who are scattered on the ground or among the 
branches, — uttering a piercing cry, followed frequently by a few hoarse 
guttui-al notes. 
As we have said, these birds are accustomed to construct bowers of 
pleasure and amusement. Mr. Gould tells us that he saw several in 
the county of Liverpool, among the cedar-forests. They were always 
built on the ground, in the wildest depths of the forest, and covered 
generally by the thick overhanging branches. The base of the edifice 
consists, he says, of a broad and slightly convex platform, made of 
twigs interlaced together very finely. In the centre rises the bower, 
or rather cradle, constructed likewise of twigs or small bi-anches, 
intertwined with those of the platform, but more flexible. These 
twigs, bent back at the top, are so arranged as to form a kind of 
vaulted roof; and the framework of the bower is disposed in such a 
manner that the forks presented by the branches are all turned out- 
