always near the ground. The Lyre Bird is 

 very shy; when pursued it runs through the 

 undergrowth of timber with great speed, and 

 gives the sportsman much trouble. Its natural 

 call is loud and rather pleasing. But it has 

 wonderful power as a mocking bird, and can 

 change its voice in an instant from the " Cat 

 Bird's" curious wailing song, to the Kukuburras 

 loud laugh, and then to the Dingo's dreary 

 howl, and again to the low soft note of the 

 Wonga pigeon. It will also imitate such sounds 

 as the sharpening of a saw, or the cracking of a 

 stockman's whip, and so this clever mimic 

 seems to amuse itself in the solitary brushes. 

 These beautiful birds are far scarcer now than 

 formerly, as they are much sought after for the 

 tail feathers, which are sold in large numbers. 



