18.01.2013 Views

The Descent of Man

The Descent of Man

The Descent of Man

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

uilt on the ground for the sole purpose <strong>of</strong><br />

courtship, for their nests are formed in trees.<br />

Both sexes assist in the erection <strong>of</strong> the bowers,<br />

but the male is the principal workman. So<br />

strong is this instinct that it is practised under<br />

confinement, and Mr. Strange has described<br />

(60. Gould, 'Handbook to the Birds <strong>of</strong> Australia,'<br />

vol. i. pp. 444, 449, 455. <strong>The</strong> bower <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Satin Bower-bird may be seen in the Zoological<br />

Society's Gardens, Regent's Park.) the habits <strong>of</strong><br />

some Satin Bower-birds which he kept in an<br />

aviary in New South Wales. "At times the male<br />

will chase the female all over the aviary, then<br />

go to the bower, pick up a gay feather or a large<br />

leaf, utter a curious kind <strong>of</strong> note, set all his<br />

feathers erect, run round the bower and become<br />

so excited that his eyes appear ready to start<br />

from his bead; he continues opening first one<br />

wing then the other, uttering a low, whistling<br />

note, and, like the domestic cock, seems to be<br />

picking up something from the ground, until at<br />

last the female goes gently towards him." Cap-

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!