5
6
386[*] Spotted Bower-Bird, Cabbage-Bird, Chlamydera maculata, E.A, S.A. (inland).
Stat. v.r. dry scrubs 12
Upper dark-brown spotted buff; rose-lilac opalescent plumes on nape; tail tipped buff, white; abdomen pale creamy-buff, flanks barred dusky brown; f., no rose-lilac plumes. Varied, harsh, plaintive notes, mimics.
Order XXI. (continued)
The members of the Crow Family—the Corvidae—were considered the most highly-developed of birds—the most highly organized, so far as structure was concerned, and the most intelligent. However, Sharpe has erected the seven Australian Bell-Magpies (Streperas) into a family which, in his Hand-List of Birds is placed at the top of the bird tree.
In the Crow Family many well-known birds are placed. The Jays, Magpie, Daws, Rooks, and Nutcrackers of Europe are not represented in Australia. The Crows and the Raven, however, are represented by closely-related birds.