THE LYRE-BIRD. 



22-5 



THE LYUE BIRD. 



This bird, called by naturalists the Minura Superbas, is found in New 

 South AVales, where it lives in the thickets on the coasts, and on the 

 mountains in the interior. It is shy and difficult of access. Its cliicf 

 beauty is in the plumage of its tail, which is very elegant, assuming the 



I.YRE BIKDa. MALE AND FEMALS. 



form of an ancient Lyre. The tail is composed of three different sorts 

 ()f leathers, of which the upper side is a dark grey. The tail of the 

 female is simply brown, and composed of long, uniform feathers, whidi 

 are straight and graduated. Tho tail feathers are detached entire from 

 the bird, and are sold in the stores at (piite fancy prices. 



