The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bower bird \Bow"er bird`\ (Zool.)
An Australian bird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus or
Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus), allied to the starling. The
male constructs singular bowers or playhouses of twigs and
decorates them with bright-colored objects to attract
females; the satin bird.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The name is also applied to other related birds of the
same region, having similar habits; as, the spotted
bower bird (Chalmydodera maculata), and the regent
bird (Sericulus melinus).
[1913 Webster]