Bower-Birds

Abstract

SINCE the year 1840, when Gould communicated to the Zoological Society an account of their extraordinary “runs,” as they are locally called, the Bower-Birds of Australia and Papua have always attracted a large share of interest on the part not only of ornithologists but of students of the habits of animals. For in the construction of the “bowers” or “runs,” from which they take their name, these birds stand absolutely alone, although the “playgrounds” Of the Argus pheasant are comparable to the smooth patches cleared in the jungle by one species of Bower-Bird. On such an interesting subject it is of the utmost importance to have as much definite information as possible at first hand, and we are therefore glad to welcome the paper on the Australian representatives of the group, from the pen of an original observer—Mr. A. J. Campbell, of Melbourne—which appears in the last issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, special value attaching to this communication from the excellent photographs of “runs” and nests with which it is illustrated.