F. 161. DICRURIDAE (1), DRONGOS, 73 sp.—24(23)A., 39(38)O., 11(11)E.
1
29
384[*] Spangled Drongo, Drongo-Shrike, King-Crow, Dicruropsis (Chibia, Dicrurus) bracteata, N.G., N. Ter., E.A., N.W.A., T. (acc.).
Nom. r. timber 12.2
Black glossed, spotted green; spotted white under wing; f., sim. Insects. Noisy, harsh peculiar notes.
F. 162. PARADISEIDAE (4), BIRDS OF PARADISE, Rifle-Bird, 70 sp. A.
Order XXI. (continued)
Mr. A. J. North, C.M.B.O.U., the ornithologist of the Australian Museum, Sydney, and one of the greatest of living Australian ornithologists, has declared that "without exception, the bower-building birds of Australia are the most extraordinary and interesting group of birds found in the world."
These wonderful birds construct, apart from their nests, play-houses—structures that "are perfectly anomalous in the architecture of birds." Gould considered the accounts of the "extraordinary habits" of the Bower Birds "as some of the valuable and interesting portions" of his work. Though the bird was known before Gould's time, its "extraordinary habits had never been brought before the scientific world until I (Gould) had the gratification of publishing an account of them after my return from Australia."