Vol. VI. 

 igo6 



1 Siray Feathers. 6q 



scratched surface of the ground, and we cautiously approached 

 one bird as it was feeding and chattering among the under- 

 growth ; it turned out to be a fine male, and his wonderful 

 mimicking powers were well put forth as he repeated the notes of 

 many birds in quick succession with extraordinary accuracy, 

 now and again introducing his own particular call — two long 

 high notes followed by three short ones. (I have never heard 

 the M. superbus utter the shrill note common to Victorian birds ; 

 when disturbed, they give a low " Croak, croak "). Their 

 ordinary note is similar to that of the Southern form. The 

 following are the actual calls heard, taken down on the spot as 

 uttered : — Bower-Bird, Whip-Bird, Grey Shrike-Thrush, own 

 note (repeated), own, own, own, Jackass, Honey-eater, Thrush, 

 Bower-Bird, Jackass, own, Black Cockatoo, own. Parrot, Thrush, 

 Cuckoo-Shrike, Bower-Bird, Whip-Bird, Scrub-Tit, Thrush, 

 Bower-Bird, Jackass, Bower-Bird, Black Cockatoo, Parrot, 

 Bower-Bird, own, Black Cockatoo, Parrot, Thrush, Cuckoo- 

 Shrike, Jackass, Bower-Bird, own, Friar-Bird, Black Magpie, 

 Jackass, Thickhead, Scrub-Tit, Whip-Bird, Honey-eater, Upon 

 walking up to him he quietly stalked off some fifty yards and 

 again commenced his chatter, evidently upon one of the Lyre- 

 Bird playgrounds, which were numerous in the locality. 



We then started a careful search for nests, and located about 

 ten old ones in various stages of disrepair ; they were without 

 exception placed upon a ledge of rock, and faced the north-east, 

 the rising sun. The birds preferred the dry hillside for a nesting 

 place to the shady gully. We were at last rewarded by finding 

 a lovely fresh nest, placed upon a rock, about 3 feet from the 

 ground, just at the head of a short, steep gully. The hen bird 

 flew out as we approached, and on investigation we found the 

 darkly-mottled purplish-grey q^% very far incubated. The nest 

 was composed of sticks interwoven with grass and leaves and 

 lined with fibre from the cabbage palm and green moss, while 

 the Q^^ rested upon a handful of the soft vent feathers from the 

 parent bird. The nest measured — outside, length 30 inches, 

 depth 28 inches; inside, length 15 inches, depth 10 inches; 

 entrance, 8 by 5 inches. The hen bird quickly reappeared and 

 approached to within a few feet of us as we stood by her home, 

 and then unconcernedly started to search for food. We again 

 visited this nest on 26th August, and found the young bird well 

 grown and just getting the flight feathers. Its shrill scream on 

 being disturbed at once brought the parent bird to the rescue, 

 and she hurried round, just out of reach, now and again 

 answering her baby with a reassuring call. 



The Lyre-Birds in the National Park have quickly learnt to 

 appreciate the full protection afforded them. All credit is due 

 to the trustees for this bird sanctuary. — A. S. Le Souef. 

 Zoological Gardens, Sydney, 27/8/06. 



