THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
12 inches (outside), length about 15 inches, with a platform of sticks 1 inch 
high right through. Very httle clearing round, but at one end of the bower 
and about 1 foot away, is a platform, a foot in diameter, of twigs placed 
horizontally to a depth of 3 inches. The birds use this platform to play on. 
A few bunches of small green berries, about six in a birnch, are placed between 
the platform and the end of the bower. The birds make very little noise at the 
boAver. C. orientalis is an expert mimic, while C. cerviniventris was not heard 
to imitate any sound.” 
Barnard also confirmed HiU’s note, recording from Borroloola: “This 
is a very common bird all through the coastal fall, and many nests were found; 
each contained a single egg. These birds started to rebuild their playgrounds 
in September, but it was not till November that eggs were found.” 
^MacgilhvTay (the younger) recorded from North Queensland: “C. 
nuchalis. Seen on the Gregory River, and at Brook Hotel, 20 miles 
from Burketown. They are considered to be a nuisance in the hotel garden, 
destroying the fruit, especially the grapes, d hides broAvn, bill blackish-brown, 
legs olive. Stomach contained seeds and portions of green vegetable matter 
(wild figs). C. orientalis. Numerous at Lockerbie in 1910, but fcAver in 
1911. Their bowers are decorated Avith the shells of land-snails. S, length 
13^ hiches ; irides browm, bill blacldsh-broAvii, legs ohve-green, feet a darker 
shade. Stomach contents, Avild fruits.” 
Later, he added: “ C. orientalis : Was fairly plentiful on the Archer 
River. In July Mr. McLennan found a bower in a small patch of scrub. 
Length 2 feet; breadth 18 inches, height 15 inches ; roofed over Avith a thin 
layer of tAvigs, formmg a tunnel-hke run 9 inches high by 6 inches uide, 
decorated with Helix shells and pieces of a white clayey stone, hi the 
centre of the run was a circular depression about 4 inches in diameter 
filled with fresh and rotting green fruit, J-inch long by ^-inch in diameter.” 
H. L. White has published McLerman’s notes: “ Momington Island, 
30 7/15: Some birds seen and heard near the mission station. Macarthur 
River, 8/8/15: Noted along river. Bickerton Island, 23/8/15: Two seen. 
LiA^erpool River, 21/9/15 : Seen and heard by river. King River: Occasional 
birds in mangroves and in small patch of scrub. Often observed in sandstone 
ranges. Port Bradshaiv, 5/2/16: Heard in patches of scrub. Stomach, 
small berries.” 
Broadbent observed: “ Shot specimens of this bird at Herbert Vale, 
and on the River Herbert, at Craig’s, but it is only a casual Adsitor. The east 
coast, about Cardwell and Cairns, is not its locahty. Common out from 
ToAAiis-vdlle, and at Kimberley, Gulf of Carpentaria. It is very common on all 
the rivers on the Gulf. 
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