Data 
No. 
No. in 
A. J. 
Campbell’s No. of 
Book, 
Eggs. 
THE JACKSONIAN OOLOGICAL COLLECTION. 
in perusing that open book, which the Australian bush is to an intelligent reader. We saw the birds 
often, but only for a few seconds, and desired a closer and more satisfying acquaintance, that would 
leave no points in doubt as to their jealously secluded haunts and breeding grounds. We got what we 
wanted, at the cost of patient search, still more patient stalking, and many disappointments, which, 
however, only rendered final success more satisfying, The nest found during the trip in question, was 
located in an old burnt-out stump in a steep and rugged part of the gully. It was in point of size and 
construction exactly typical, measuring 32 inches long by 20 deep, being, as is always the case, domed, 
with an entrance at one end, and constructed of Eucalyptus leaves, sticks, moss, ferns, etc., and 
lined with fine roots, soft bark, and feathers plucked from the breast of the bird itself. These nests, in 
all instances, afford illustration of instinctive provision against detection, their structure being untidy 
and the egg so dark-coloured that both are 
unlikely to attract attention; thus the 
passer-by or the predatory snake has less 
chance of seeing and despoiling the nest. 
Great was our jubilation at the find, and 
my exultant shout brought the rest of the 
party tumbling over the rocks, and blunder- 
ing through the “ wait-a-bit ” vines to view 
the prize. One handsome egg, resembling 
very much a large, ripe passion fruit, lay 
in the nest, but so dense was the shade, 
and so dark the colour of the egg itself, 
that it was not visible except on very close 
inspection ; as for the nest, it looked like 
anything but what it was. Encouraged by 
success, we started to locate another if 
possible, and were fortunate enough to find 
one built in different but representative 
surroundings. The bird generally nests 
on the ground, at the end of an old log, or 
ina clump of tree ferns, etc., or on the 
shelving ledge of some nearly inaccessible 
bluff of rock. It was in the last named 
locality that we found the second nest 
(see photograph) and realised that without 
ropes it would be impossible to reach it, in 
fact, under any circumstances it would be 
a break-neck sort of venture ; I, who had 
toiled all the day, and grumbled much NEST OF THE LYRE BIRD (Menura superba), 
under the burden of a heavy camera, now Built upon a ledge of rock on the face of a cliff. 
(One tenth of the natural size). 
felt with the second discovery a fuller 
Loc., Waterfall, near Sydney, 
justi ion for my existence, but I soon 
justification: f y : (See data No. 574A.) 
realised that it was more than difficult in 
such precipitous country to get a place from which the nest could be photographed. There was nothing 
for it but a tree, and with many misgivings I was hoisted, shoved, and propped into an eminence in the 
slippery fork of a Eucalyptus, whence, under a running fire of gratuitous advice from the rest of the 
party, I finally made an exposure of three seconds, and secured the picture here reproduced. I have 
frequently noticed that these birds rebuild their old nests year after year, if they have not been tampered 
with, or previously robbed. The egg under notice measures in inches = 2°44 x 170. Some of these 
133 
