HABITS OF THE LYRE-BIKD. 267 



will be attracted within the range of the gun. If the bird be hidden from view by 

 surrounding objects, any unusual sound, such as a shrill whistle, will generally induce 

 him to show himself for an instant, by causing him to leap with a gay and sprightly air 

 upon some neighbouring branch to ascertain the cause of the disturbance ; advantage must 

 be taken of this circumstance immediately, or the next moment it may be half-way down 

 the gully. 



The Menura seldom, if ever, attempts to escape by flight, but easily eludes pursuit by 

 its extraordinary powers of running. None are so efficient in obtaining specimens as the 

 naked black, whose noiseless and gliding steps enable him to steal upon it unheard or 

 unperceived, and with a gun in his hand he rarely allows it to escape, and in many 

 instances he will even kill it with his own weapons. 



The Lyre-bird is of a wandering disposition, and although it probably keeps to the 

 same bush, it is constantly engaged in traversing it from one end to the other, from the 

 mountain base to the top of the gullies, whose steep and rugged sides present no obstacle 

 to its long legs and powerful muscular thighs. It is also capable of performing extra- 

 ordinary leaps, and I liave heard it stated that it will spring ten feet perpendicularly from 

 the ground. Among its many curious habits, the only one at all approaching to those of 

 the Gallinaceae is that of forming small round hillocks, which are constantly visited during 

 the day, and upon which the male is continually tramping, at the same time erecting and 

 spreading out its tail in the most graceful manner, and uttering its various cries, some- 

 times pouring forth its natural notes, at others imitating those of other birds, and even the 

 howling of the native dog (Dingo). The early morning and the evening are the periods 

 when it is most animated and active. 



Although upon one occasion I forced this bird to take wing, it was merely for the 

 purpose of descending a gulf, and I am led to believe that it seldom exerts this power 

 unless under similar circumstances. It is peculiarly partial to traversing the trunks of 

 fallen trees, and frequently attains a considerable altitude by leaping from branch to 

 branch. Independently of a loud full note, which may be heard reverberating over the 

 gullies for at least a quarter of a mile, it has also an inward warbling song, the lower notes 

 of which can only be heard within about fifteen yards. It remains stationary while 

 singing, fully occupied in pouring forth its animated strain. This it frequently discontinues 

 abruptly, and again commences with a low inward, snapping noise, ending with an imita- 

 tion of the loud and full note of the satin-bird, and always accompanied by a tremulous 

 motion of the tail. 



The food of the Menura appears to consist principally of insects, particularly of centi- 

 pedes and coleoptera. I also found the remains of shelled snails in the gizzard, which is 

 very strong and muscular." 



The same writer, in a recent communication to the Zoological Society, mentions the 

 discovery of a nest of the Lyre-bird, containing a nearly adult young bird of sixteen inches 

 in height. In spite of its large size, it was a most helpless creature, and seemed to be 

 quite incapable of escape, even with the assistance of its mother, who with devoted 

 courage tried to withdraw it from its enemies, and laid down her life in the attempt. 



The young Lyre-bird displayed no fear of its captors, but was easily induced to follow 

 any one when allured by the imitation of the mother's cry. It fed well, its chief articles 

 of diet being worms, ants, and their larvae. For water it seemed to care but little, and 

 seldom, if ever, was seen engaged in drinking. Although tended with great care, and its 

 wants well supplied, this interesting captive died within eight days after it was taken. 

 Dr. Bennett remarks of the young Lyre-bird, that when it is able to leave the nest it is 

 very swift of foot, and as it instinctively conceals itself under rocks and among the densest 

 thickets, its capture is a difficult task even for a native. 



Of the adult bird, the same writer speaks as follows : 



" I first saw these birds in the mountain range of the Tumat country ; lately they have 

 been very abundant among the Blue Mountain ranges bordering on the Nepean Eiver, 

 above Emeu Plains (about thirty-five miles from Sydney). They are remarkably shy, very 

 difficult of approach, frequenting the most inaccessible rocks and gullies, and on the 



