Schlegel ) STEAK [INLé OM IIR OSA \ rw CD { AMIE "i - ae ane ane ver_)ir IC ne Sale eres : WHEN Ms Pe Bower-bird was first discovered by Baron von Rosenberg, no one could have any 0 s -cullar « > S . “s S aE ee < re - . : : er of ti pect on talents for hut building and garden decoration. It is now known, however, that two allied species exhibit the same curious habits in South-castern New Guinea. 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 :-— dimensions of a Turtledove. The specific name ‘ evornata’ well suggests its very simple dress. It has nore of the ornaments common to the members of its family, its feathers being of several shades of brown atid showing no sexual differences. 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. 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 I o'clock we intended to proceed to the village of Hatam, the end of our journey. 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 ; industry of an animal. was on a diminutive scale. I did not, however, then suspect that they After well observing the whole, I gave stric however, was an unnecessary caution, since the Papuans t bowers, even if they are in their way. unfortunately for them, to come near them. an hour’s walk we were at our journey’s end. not to shoot many of the birds. t ; CICIC) P< IRIN. ee