were observable. I frequently found these structures at a considerable distance from the rivers, from the
borders of which they could alone have procured the shells and small round pebbly stones ; their collection
and transportation must therefore be a task of great labour and difficulty. As these birds feed almost
entirely upon seeds and fruits, 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 in the sun, or such as have been
roasted by the natives, and by this means whitened, that attract their attention. I fully ascertained that
these runs, like those of the Satin Bower-bird, formed the rendezvous o f many individuals; for, after secreting
myself for a short space o f time near one o f them, I killed two males which I had previously seen running
through the avenue.
Crown of the head, ear-coverts and throat rich brown, each feather surrounded with a narrow line of
black; feathers on the crown small, and tipped with silvery grey; a beautiful band of elongated feathers of
light rose-pink crosses the back of the neck, forming a broad, fan-like, occipital crest; all the upper surface,
wings and tail of a deep brown; every feather of the back, rump, scapularies and secondaries tipped with
a latge round spot of rich buff; primaries slightly tipped with white; all the tail-feathers terminated with
bufly white; under surface greyish white; feathers of the flanks marked with faint, transverse, zigzag lines of
light brown; bill and feet dusky brown; irides dark brown ; bare skin at the corner of the mouth thick,
fleshy, prominent, and of a pinky flesh-colour.
Both sexes, when fully adult, are adorned with the rose-coloured frill; but the young birds of the year,
both male and female, are without it.
The Plate represents the bower, with two birds, a male and a female, all o f the natural size.