_J. & E. Gould del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]
CHLAMYDERA NUCHALIS.
Great Bower-bird.
_Ptilonorhynchus nuchalis_, Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. ii. pl.
103.
_Calodera nuchalis_, Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.
_Chlamydera nuchalis_, Gould, Birds of Australia, 1837, Part I.
cancelled.—G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, p. 40.
This fine species was first described and figured in the “Illustrations
of Ornithology,” by Sir William Jardine and Mr. Selby, from the then
unique specimens in the collection of the Linnean Society; but neither
the part of Australia of which it is a native or any particulars
relative to its habits were known to those gentlemen, nor have I myself
had an opportunity of observing it in a state of nature, the bird being
an inhabitant of the north-west coast, a portion of the Australian
continent that has, as yet, been but little visited. I am indebted for
individuals of both sexes of this bird to two of the officers of the
“Beagle,” Messrs. Bynoe and Dring; but neither of these gentlemen
furnished me with any account of its economy. Captain Grey, however, on
his return from his expedition to those regions, informed me that he
frequently found during his rambles a most singular bower, made in every
way like that of the _Chlamydera maculata_, and which was always an
object of great interest to him, being unable to satisfy himself as to
what animal had constructed it, or even whether it was the work of a
bird or of a quadruped: he was inclined to suppose the latter, but I
think there need not be the slightest hesitation in ascribing its
formation to the _Chlamydera nuchalis_; for we may reasonably expect
that a species so very closely allied to that of the southern and
eastern portions of the continent would partake of its peculiar habits
and economy. The following notes were written on the spot, and were
kindly given to me by Captain Grey:—
“These bowers were formed of dead grass and parts of bushes, sunk a
slight depth into two parallel furrows, in sandy soil, and were nicely
arched above; but the most remarkable fact connected with them was, that
they were always full of broken sea-shells, large heaps of which also
protruded from each extremity of the bower. In one of these bowers, the
most remote from the sea that we discovered, were found a heap of the
stones of some fruit which had evidently been rolled in the sea. I never
saw any animal in or near to these bowers, but the dung of a small
species of Kangaroo was always abundant close to them, which induced me
to suppose them to be the work of some kind of quadruped.”
The circumstance of Captain Grey, never having perceived the birds near
the runs, serves to show that it exhibits the same shyness of
disposition as the other species.
Head and all the upper surface greyish brown, the feathers of the former
with a shining or satiny lustre; the feathers of the back, wing-coverts,
scapulars, quills and tail tipped with greyish white; on the nape of the
neck a beautiful rose-pink fascia, consisting of narrow feathers, partly
encircled by a ruff of satin-like plumes, the tips distinct, rounded,
and turning inwards; under surface yellowish grey, the flanks tinged
with brown; irides, bill and legs brownish black.
In one of the specimens I possess, and which formed the subject of the
upper figure in the Plate, no trace of the nuchal ornament is
observable, a circumstance I conceive to be indicative of youth rather
than a distinguishing characteristic of the sexes, since in the other
species I find the mark common to both, but the young bird of the year
without any trace of it.
The Plate represents a male and a young bird, of the natural size.
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