56 
Genus Chlamidera. 
Generic characters. 
j B ill moderate, culmen elevated, and arched to the tip which is 
emarginated, compressed on the sides ; gonys slightly advancing up- 
wards ; nostrils basal, lateral, exposed, rounded, and pierced in a 
membrane ; wings long and pointed, first primary short, second pri- 
mary shorter than the third and fourth, which are equal, and the 
longest ; tail long and slightly rounded ; tarsi robust, defended an- 
teriorly with broad scuta; toes long and strong; outer toe longer 
than the inner, hind- toe long and robust; claws long, curved, and 
acute. 
258. Chlamydera maculata, Gould Vol. IV. PI. 8. 
Inhabits South Australia, New South Wales, and according to 
Mr. Gilbert’s Journal of his overland journey to Port Essington, the 
intertropical regions of the east coast. 
In one of Mr. Gilbert’s many interesting letters received since the 
account above referred to was printed, he says, “ the question as to 
the nidification of Chlamydera is now settled by Mr. C. Coxen 
having found a nest in December with three young birds; in form 
it was very similar to that of the common Thrush of Europe, being of 
a cup shape, constructed of dried sticks with a slight lining of 
feathers, and fine grass, and was placed among the smaller branches 
of an Acacia overhanging a pool of water.” 
1 
259. Chlamydera nuchalis Vol. IV. PL 9. 
“ I found matter for conjecture,” says Captain Stokes, “ in noticing 
a number of twigs with their ends stuck in the ground, which was 
strewed over with shells, and their tops brought together so as to 
form a small bower; this was 2|- feet long, 1^- foot wide at either 
end. It was not until my next visit to Port Essington that I thought 
this anything but some Australian mother’s toy to amuse her child; 
there I was asked, one day, to go and see the ‘ birds’ playhouse,’ 
when I immediately recognised the same kind of construction I had 
seen at the Victoria River; the bird ( Chlamydera nuchalis of Mr. 
Gould’s work) was amusing itself by flying backwards and forwards, 
takinga shell alternately from each side, and carrying it through the 
archway in its mouth.” — Discoveries in Australia , vol. ii. p. 97* 
Genus Ptilonorhynchus. 
260. Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus, Kuhl . . . Vol. IV. PL 10. 
That this bird continues its singular habits under the disadvan- 
tages of captivity, I learn from the following passage in a letter 
lately received from Mr. Strange of Sydney. 
“ My aviary is now tenanted by a pair of Satin Birds, which I had 
hoped would have bred, as for the last two months they have been 
constantly engaged in constructing bowers, which I find are built for 
the express purpose of courting the female in. Both sexes assist in 
their erection, but the male is the principal workman. At times the 
male will chase the female all over the aviary, then go to the bower, 
