THE LYRE-BIRD. 331 



song is not often heard during rain, or when the sun is 

 obscured. The nest is about three feet in circumference and 

 one foot deep, having an orifice on one side. They lay but one 

 egg, of a slate colour, with black spots. The female is a very 

 unattractive bird, having a poor tail, nothing like the male." 



The settlers sometimes call this bird a pheasant, but it is 

 in reality one of the thrush family. 



I was conducted by one of the farm servants to the "locale" 

 where these birds were known to frequent, which was a 

 series of thickly-wooded ravines and gullies, extending from 

 the forest in a slope towards the plain, and was recommended 

 to hide myself amongst the bushes, in the most convenient 

 place I could find, commanding a view of some clearing, 

 where I might possibly obtain a sight of one. 



A drizzling rain was falling at the time I had ensconced 

 myself in what I considered a favourable position, which was 

 very uncomfortable to myself, and sadly against the chance 

 of seeing any lyre-birds; but shortly afterwards the sun 

 broke forth, and I had not long remained concealed in my 

 very damp quarters when I heard in close vicinity those 

 very mocking notes and tones so graphically described above, 

 but could perceive no indication whatever of the whereabouts 

 of the songster. The circumstance put me very much in 

 mind of the same thing occurring when in quest of jungle- 

 fowl in India. I have heard them crowing around me 

 in all directions by hundreds, but very rarely caught a 

 sight of one. The sounds that now reached my ears were, 

 however, much more clear and distinct, and rendered it 

 doubly provoking that such a fine performer should persist 

 in remaining invisible. Presently I observed a slight move- 

 ment in the bushes opposite my hiding-place, not twenty 

 paces from me, and a scratching and pecking noise in the 

 high grass was distinctly audible. I thought I observed 

 long feathers protrude now and then above, it, and, tired of 



