bower-bird

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


Australian bird. See quotation,1891. See Ptilonorhynchinae. The following are thevarieties – – – Fawn-breasted Bower-bird – – Chlamydoderea cerviniventris, Gould.

♣ Golden B. – – Prionodura newtoniana, De Vis.

♣ Great B. – – Chlambydodera nuchalis, Gould (`Birds of Australia,'vol.iv. pl. 9).

♣ Queensland B. – – C. orientalis, Gould.

♣ Satin B. – – Ptilonorhynchus violaceus, Vieillot.

♣ Spotted B. – – Chlamydodera maculata, Gould (ibid. pl. 8).

♣ Yellow-spotted B. – – C. gutttata, Gould.

And the Regent-bird (q.v.).

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia,' p. 140:

«The same person had the last season found, to his surprise,the playhouse, or bower, of the Australian satin bower-bird.»

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 28:

«Any shred of glass or metal which arrests the eye or reflectsthe rays of the sun is a gem in the bower-bird's collection,which seems in a sense to parody the art decorations of amodern home.»

1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':

«In one is a representation of the playing place of the spottedbowerbird. These bowers are quite independent of the birds'nests, which are built on neighbouring trees. They firstconstruct a covered passage or bower about three feet long, andnear it they place every white or bright object they can find,such as the bleached bones of animals, pieces of white orcoloured stone, feathers, shells, etc., etc.; the feathers theyplace on end. When these curious playing places were firstdiscovered, they were thought to be made by the native womenfor the amusement of their children. More than a bushel ofsmall pieces of bleached bones or shells are often found at oneof these curious sporting places. Sometimes a dozen or morebirds will assemble, and they delight in chasing each otherthrough the bower and playing about it.»

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

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