come to drink. On one occasion, near the termination of a long drought, he was guided by a native to a deep basin in a rock, which still held water from the rains of many months before, and where numbers of the birds, as well as honeysuckers and parrots, were constantly assembling throughout the day. This natural reservoir had probably been but seldom, if ever, visited by a white man, as it was situated in a remote mountain, and presented no attraction to any person but a naturalist. His presence was evidently regarded with suspicion by the visitants to the spot; but while he remained lying on the ground perfectly motionless, though close to the water, their thirst overpowered their fear, and they would dash down, and eagerly take their fill, although an enormous black snake was lying coiled upon a piece of wood near the edge of the pool. The spotted bower-birds were by far the shyest of the whole.

In many of its actions, and in the greater part of its economy, much similarity exists between this species and the satin bower-bird; particularly in the curious habit of constructing an artificial bower or play-ground. The situations of these runs or bowers are much varied. They were found both on the plains studded with the acacia pendula and other small trees, and in the brushes clothing the lower hills. They are considerably longer and more avenue-like than those of the satin

bower-bird. They are outwardly built of twigs, and beautifully lined with tall grasses, so disposed that their heads nearly meet. The decorations are very profuse; and consist of bivalve shells, crania of small mammalia, and other bones. Evident and beautiful indications of design are manifest throughout the whole of the bower, and its decorations, formed by this species; particularly in the manner in which the stones are placed within the bower, apparently to keep the grasses, with which it is lined, firmly fixed in their places. These stones diverge from the mouth of the run on each side, so as to form little paths, while the immense collection of decorative materials are placed in a heap before the entrance of the avenue; this arrangement being the same at both ends. In some instances, small bowers, composed almost entirely of grasses, apparently the commencement of a new place of rendezvous, were observable. These structures were at a considerable distance from rivers, from the borders of which the birds could alone have procured the shells and small round pebbly stones. Their collection and transportation must, therefore, have been a task of great labour and difficulty. As these birds feed almost entirely upon seeds and fruit, the shells and bones cannot have been collected for any other purpose than ornament; besides, it is only those that have been bleached perfectly white by the sun, or such

Mr.

as have been roasted by the natives, and by this means whitened, that attract their attention. Gould clearly ascertained that these runs formed the rendezvous of many individuals.

Such is the account he has given of the habits of these extraordinary birds, which cannot fail of interesting the naturalist. I have now only to offer my thanks for the permission so kindly given me by Mr. Gould, to make use of his splendid work, and to extract what portion I pleased of it.