The SPOTTED COLLAR BIRD (_Chlamydera maculata_) is about ten inches long;
the feathers upon the top of the head and region of the throat are of
a beautiful brown, surrounded by a narrow black line, those upon the
head being tipped with silver grey; the neck is surrounded by an elegant
collar or plume of long feathers, of the colour of a peach blossom; the
entire back, wings, and tail are covered with deep brown feathers, marked
at their extremities with a round, brownish-yellow spot; the lower parts
of the body are greyish white, the feathers upon the sides streaked with
a zig-zag, pale brown line; the eye is deep brown, the beak and feet of a
lighter shade. The young are without the feathery collar round the neck.
These interesting birds are inhabitants of Central Australia, where
they make their nests and spend the greater part of their lives upon
the numerous low bushes with which the plains are covered, hiding
themselves in the thickest branches at the very tops of trees at the
first approach of a stranger, and thus rendering the observation of their
habits a work of considerable difficulty; those who are desirous of
obtaining a specimen are therefore compelled to watch the tree on which
they perch until thirst compels them to come down in search of water.
Gould informs us that the bowers built by the Collar Birds are even more
artistically constructed and elaborately decorated than those of the
Satin Bird, and though erected in similar situations, are more arched and
of greater size, some being as much as three feet long; like those we
have described, the sides are formed of twigs woven together, but these
birds are not content with so rough a screen, and cover their ball-room
with a layer of fine and beautiful grass, large stones being employed
by the clever little architects for the purpose of keeping all the
materials firmly in the proper place. The interior is decorated in the
most elaborate manner with various kinds of shells, gay scraps, bleached
bones, or even the skulls of small animals; some of them being placed in
such a manner as to form a sort of approach to the bower, whilst a goodly
number are heaped up by way of ornament upon each side of the entrance.
Instances have been known in which these energetic and persevering little
creatures have collected as much as half a bushel of materials, rejecting
everything as unsuitable for their purpose that is not quite white or
very gay in colour, and actually going to search for shells upon the
banks of rivers some miles distant from the spot on which they build.
Gould tells us that these tasteful bowers are so firmly constructed as to
serve as a pleasure apartment for several seasons in succession.
[Illustration: THE PIROL, OR GOLDEN ORIOLE (_Oriolus galbula_).]
* * * * *
The birds constituting the second group of this family are recognisable
by their elongated beaks, short feet, and rather long wings; in the
plumage of the male, black and yellow predominate; but the prevailing
colour of the female is a greenish grey.