AMBLYORNIS INORNATA {Schiegd). 
Gardener Bower-bird. 
Ptilonorhynchus inornatus, Schlegel, NederL Tijdschr. Dierk. iv. p. 51 (1871). — Rosenb. Reist. naar Geelvinkb. 
pp. 102, 143 (1875). — Id. Malay. Arch. pp. 554, 590 (1879). — Mussclienbr. Dagboek, pp. 212, 242 
(1883). — Rosenb. MT. orn. Ver. Wien, 1885, p. 54. 
Amhlyornis inornata, Elliot, Ibis, 1872, p. 114. — Id. Monogr. Parad. pi. 37 (1873). — Sclater, P. Z. S. 1873, p. 697. 
— Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civic. Genov, vii. p. 781 (1875), ix. p. 193 (1876). — Beccari, Ann. Mus. Civic. 
Genov, ix. p. 382, tav. viii. (1877). — Id. Ibis, 1877, p.397. — Salvad. op. cit. x. p. 151 (1877). — Gould, 
B. New Guin. i. pi. 46 (1879). — D’Albertis, Nuova Guinea, p. 581 (1880). — Salvad. Orn. Papuasia e 
delle Molucche, i. p. 394 (1881). — Sharpe, Cat. Birds in Brit. Mus. vi. p. 394 (1881). — Salvad. Agg, 
Orn. Papuasia e delle Molucche, ii. p. 165 (1890). 
When this plain-looking Bower-bird was first discovered by Baron von Rosenberg, no one could have any 
idea of its peculiar talents for but-building and garden decoration. It is now known, however, that two 
allied species exhibit the same curious habits in South-eastern New Guinea. 
As far as has been recorded at present, the Gardener Bower-bird is an inhabitant of the Arfak Mountains 
in North-western New Guinea, and it has been procured in this region by all the best-known travellers who 
have visited this part of the globe ; but for a detailed account of its “ bower,” science is indebted to the 
celebrated Italian naturalist, Dr. Beccari, who has published a description of it in the ‘ Annali ’ of the Genoa 
Museum. This was afterwards translated into the ‘ Gardeners’ Chronicle ’ for March 6th, 1878, and 
the following passage is transcribed from the last-named journal : — - 
“The Ambhjornis inornata , or, as I propose to name it, the Bird gardener, is a Bird of Paradise of the 
dimensions of a Turtledove. The specific name ‘ inornata' well suggests its very simple dress. It has none 
of the ornaments common to the members of its family, its feathers being of several shades of brown and 
showing no sexual differences. 
“ It was shot some years ago by the hunters of Mynheer von Rosenberg. The first descriptions of its 
powers of building (the constructions were called ‘nests’) were given by the hunters of Mynheer Bruijn. 
They endeavoured to bring one of the nests to Ternate ; but it was found impossible to do this, both by 
reason of its great size and the difficulty of transporting it. 
“ I have fortunately been able to examine these constructions in the remote places where they are erected. 
On June 20, 1875, I left Andai for Hatam, on Mount Arfak. I had been forced to stay a day at Warmendi 
to give rest to my porters. At this time only five men were with me ; some were suffering from fever, and 
the remaining porters declined to proceed. We had been on our way since early morning; and at 1 o’clock 
we intended to proceed to the village of Hatam, the end of our journey. 
“ We were on a projecting spur of Mount Arfak. The virgin forest was very beautiful. Scarcely a ray 
of sunshine penetrated the branches. The ground was almost destitute of vegetation. A little track-way 
proved that the inhabitants were at no great distance. A limpid fountain had evidently been frequented. 
I found here a new Balanophora , like a small orange or a small fungus. I was distracted by the songs and 
the screams of new birds ; and every turn in the path showed me something new and surprising. I had just 
killed a small new marsupial ( Phascologale dorsalis, Pet. and Doria) that balanced itself on the stem of a 
great tree like a squirrel ; and turning round, I suddenly stood before a most remarkable specimen of the 
industry of an animal. It was a hut or bower close to a small meadow enamelled with flowers. The whole 
was on a diminutive scale. I immediately recognized the famous nests described by the hunters of Bruijn. 
I did not, however, then suspect that they had anything to do with the constructions of the Chlamijdoderce. 
After well observing the whole, I gave strict orders to my hunters not to destroy the little building. That, 
however, was an unnecessary caution, since the Papuans take great care never to disturb these nests or 
bowers, even if they are in their way. The birds had evidently enjoyed the greatest quiet until we happened, 
unfortunately for them, to come near them. We had reached the height of about 4800 feet; and after half 
an hour’s walk we were at our journey’s end. 
“ The Nest. — I had now full employment in the preparation of my treasure ; and I gave orders to my people 
not to shoot many of the birds. The nest I had seen first was the nearest one to my halting-place. One 
