394 
COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 
colour. Other genera have similar and not less extra¬ 
ordinary characteristics. Allied to the well - known 
Australian bower-bird are several species of Amblyornis , 
some of which construct playing or coursing grounds of 
so remarkable a nature that, were not the facts attested 
by well-known naturalists, they would be almost in¬ 
credible. One (A. Musgravianus ) builds a raised ring 
bower of amblyornis (A. Musgravianus). 
around a small tree, this miniature circus being about 
two feet in height and provided with a parapet, the 
whole having the appearance of a marble fountain, while 
small sticks placed in various positions on the tree 
resemble jets of water. But singular as is this bower, it 
is eclipsed by that of another species (A. subalaris). 
This bird, also selecting a small tree as the centre of its 
building, forms around its base a bank of moss, which it 
decorates by inserting flowers. The ring or circus is 
