A.J. 
Data Campbell's No. of 
No. 
573 
574 
No. ip 
Book. 
416 
Eggs. 
I 
THE JACKSONIAN OOLOGICAL COLLECTION. 
LYRE BIRD OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 
Menura superba, Davies. 
(This bird is known to the aborigines of the Clarence River district as ‘‘ Tar-win."’) 
The usual clutch of one egg, which in this case is of the dark purplish-grey variety, and rather 
finely spotted all over. It was taken by Sid. W. Jackson on the 2nd of September, 1905, in the jungle- 
like scrub in a beautiful fern-clad gully, where the timbers of the scrub and forest met and intermixed, 
at the head of Middle Harbour, near Lindfield, Sydney. The nest was built upon a ledge of rock, and 
placed up against another, which was covered with moss and lichen. Immediately behind it 
stood a tall Spotted Eucalypt (Zucalyptus maculata), also a Grass Tree (Xanthorrhea arborea), and 
this was where the scrub fringed the edge of the forest. From this spot the bird must have obtained a 
splendid view as she sat in the nest, for it was placed 
in such a commanding and elevated position. The 
wild and rugged gullies on the north side, at the head 
of Middle Harbour, afford very natural and safe retreats 
for these beautiful birds; the reason being simply 
because they are seldom frequented by persons other 
than those interested in natural history, etc.; also owing 
to the fact that in these almost inaccessible places 
quantities of rich dense vegetation abound, in 
which the birds live and procure their food. The 
photograph, which illustrates the nest under notice, 
and from which the egg was taken, will be found a few 
pages further on, and it faithfully depicts the nest with 
all the natural surroundings. I experienced some 
difficulty in taking this photograph, owing to the fact 
that the nest was above me, when I stood in front of 
it; and to get my camera fixed to the required height 
and horizontally in line with the nest, I was obliged to 
build up cairns of stone to rest the legs of the tripod 
on; ultimately, however, an exposure of six seconds 
was made, and secured me a satisfactory picture for 
my labors. A good idea as regards the size of the 
nest can be obtained, for the Eucalyptus tree which is a clr Ciao enura superba.) 
standing immediately at the rear of the structure, is (Bee Sata Nn! 573) 
instrumental as a scale, measuring exactly one foot 
in diameter. Accompanying this description will be found a natural sized photograph of the egg, 
which measures in inches = 2°54 x 1°80. In the data of the following egg (No. 574) of the Lyre 
Bird, I am giving full particulars respecting its habits, etc. 
One egg, which forms a clutch, and is of the light stone-grey variety. It was taken by myself in 
the Ourimbah scrubs, near Gosford, N.S.W., on the 29th of August, 1904, and measures in inches = 
2°38 x 1°77. The nest was, as usual, a very large dome-shaped and unpretentious looking structure, 
composed of sticks, bark, dead ferns, dead leaves, and flakes of moss, which the birds had scraped and 
gathered from the rocks in the damp gully, and was picturesquely situated amongst ferns on the ground, 
at the foot of a giant Turpentine Tree (Syucarfia /aurifolia). I have found seyeral nests in the latter 
scrubs, which afford a natural and beautiful retreat for these interesting birds. It is ideal Lyre Bird 
country, and I have traversed it on foot for many miles; every gully has its rippling water course ; 
towering Eucalypts rise from a tangle of vines, fern trees, and sub-tropical undergrowth, so thick that 
the sunlight barely filters through, and here the retiring bird disports himself in peace and comparative 
security. The casual observer, if asked to name one out of the many feathered inhabitants of the 
Australian bush as especially deserving of distinction, might find some difficulty in arriving at a decision, 
128 
