THE LYRE BIRD. 



A Parrot. 



A Bird of Paradise. 



A Toiican 



Lyre Birds, male and female. 



Naturalists are greatly divided in opinion as to the proper classification of the Lyre Bird ; some placing 

 it among the Birds of Paradise ; others among the Passerines ; and others among the Gallinaceous birds. 

 The Lyre Bird equals a common Pheasant in size, but its limbs are longer in proportion, and its feet much 

 larger. The head is smal^ the beak triangular at the base, pointed and compressed at the tip. In the 

 main the feathers of the head are elongated into a crest; the general plumage is^pi, deep, soft, and downy. 

 The tail is modified into a beautiful, long, plume-like ornament, representing when erect and expanded, the 

 figure of a lyre, whence the name of Lyre Bird. This ornamental tail is, however, confined to the male. 

 It is a bird of heavy flight, but swift of foot. On catching a glimpse of the sportsman, it runs with 

 rapidity, aided by the wings, over logs of wood, rocks, or any obstruction to its progress; it seldom flies 

 into trees except to roost, and then rises only from branch to branch. They build in old hollow trunks of 

 trees which are lying upon the ground, or in the holes of rocks; the nest is merely formed of dried mass. 

 or dried leaves scraped together; the female lays from twelve to sixteen eggs, of a white color, witli a few 

 scattered light blue spots ; the young are difficult to catch, as they run with rapidity, concealing them- 

 selves among the rocks and bushes. The Lyre Bird, on descending from high trees, on which it perches, 

 has been seen to fly some distance ; it is more often observed during the early hours of the morning and 

 in the evening, than during the heat of the day. This bird is found in the hilly districts of Australia. 



