AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. . 113 



ORDER XXI. — PASSERIFORMES, PERCHING BIRDS. 



F. 105. Pteroptochidae, Tapaculos, Tilt-birds, 31 sp. Nl. 



F. 106. Conophagidae, Antwrens, 16 sp. Nl. 



F. 107. Formicariidae, Ant-thrushes, 348 sp. Nl. 



F. 108. Dendrocolaptidne, Wood-hewers, Spinetails, 405 sp. Nl. 



F. 109. Tyrannidae, Tyrant-birds, American Flycatchers, 

 Kingbird, Phoebe, 560 sp.— 41(9)Nc, 551(519)N1. 



F. 110. OxyrJiamphidae, 3 sp. Nl. 



F. 111. Pipridae, Mannikins, 84 sp. Nl. 



F. 112. Cotingidac, Cotingas, Chatterers, 145 sp. — l(0)Nc, 

 145(144)N1. 



F. 113. Phytotomidae, Plant-cutters, 4 sp. Nl. 



F. 114. PITTIDAE (4), ANT-THRUSHES, 63 sp.— 32(32) A., 

 30(30)0., 1(1)E. 



F. 115. Philepittidae, Wattled Ant-thrushes, 2 sp. E. (Mada- 

 gascar). 



F. 116. Xenicidae, New Zealand Wrens, 4 sp. A. ((N.Z.). 



F. 117. ATRICHORNITHIDAE (2), SCRUB-BIRDS, 2 sp. 

 A.(N.S.W., W.A.). 



owner. There are three species of these birds, found only in the 

 mountainous parts of South-eastern Australia, and as far as 

 Wide Bay, iu Southern Queensland. Two of the species are 

 found in New South Wales and Southern Queensland, while the 

 third is found in Victoria. Though these beautiful birds are 

 supposed to be protected, hundreds of their tails are sold annually 

 in London. 



The Lyre Bird is responsible for the statement that Australia 

 possesses "Wrens as large as peacocks," whereas most Wrens 

 are very small. However, the Lyre Bird is not now classed with 

 Wrens. In all its ways, the Lyre Bird is of interest. Its danc- 

 ing mounds, its large domed nest, containing but one egg, and its 

 remarkable mimicking powers have frequently been written about. 

 Dr. Sharpe has lately placed the Lyre Birds in an Order by them- 

 selves — Order XX. 



Gould considered the Lyre Bird the most shy of birds, for he 

 spent days in the forest gullies surrounded by them, but though 

 he was entertained by their many and varied calls, he caught no 

 sight of a bird. The wonderful tail is not attained until the male 

 bird is four years old. It is unique, and is the most beautiful 

 tail ornament worn by any bird. Dr. Newton hoped that "so 

 remarkable a form as the Lyre Bird, the nearly sole survivor, 

 apparently, of a very ancient race of beings, will not be allowed 

 to become extinct — its almost certain fate, so far as can be 

 judged — without many more observations of its manners being 

 made, and fuller details of them placed on record." Australians 

 please note. You alone can assist by collecting facts and record- 

 ing reliable observations. Bird-lovers hope that the Lyre Bird 

 will be successfully established in the National Park, Wilson's 

 Promontory, where some have already been placed, and so be 

 preserved for future generations. Its large, domed nest is 



