12 On the Lyre Bird. 



8. This propeller seems particularly adapted as an 



auxiliary power in merchant vessels, and would 



not require, like the screw, to be lifted out of the 

 water when not in use. 



Art. II. — On the "Lyre Bird." (Menura Superba.) By J. 

 Wood Beilbt, Esq., Gipps Land. Communicated <by 

 the Honorary Secretary. 



[Read to the Institute 4th February, 1857.] 



About 5th July last, while passing through scrub on the 

 margin of the Aar, or Tangel River flowing into the 

 Glengarry, or Latrobe, Gipps Land, the nest of the Lyre 

 bird was discovered in an opening of a few square feet by 

 the hen bird leaving it in alarm. It was found to contain 

 one egg, which subsequently, after leaving the nest undis- 

 turbed, in hopes of the hen returning to it, which she did 

 not, was found to be fresh. Other nests similarly occupied 

 were found during the same month. The nests are about 

 two and a half to three feet in height, built upon the ground. 

 The under structure is composed of layers of sticks, interlaced 

 together to the height of 18 to 22 inches. Above this is the 

 nest proper, — interiorly a very soft layer of dry grass, leaves, 

 moss, and down from the birds, arched over, and completely 

 concealed with a network of twisted vines, grass, and moss ; 

 the entrance to which is by an opening large enough to 

 admit the hen bird on one side, rounded at top, from which 

 a veil, or curtain, of the long fibrous moss found growing 

 and hanging in long festoons from leaning trees in scrubs 

 and fern gullies, falls, so as to completely conceal the opening 

 when the female is sitting, or has left her nest. The cock 

 bird cannot assist in the task of incubation, as proved by the 

 fact that the lyre tail could not get in, and if outside would 

 frustrate the design of concealment. The whole nest is so 

 artfully constructed of materials of uniform colour, and bears 

 so close a resemblance, exteriorly, to the heaps of drift, or 

 decaying rubbish, accumulating everywhere in the scrub, 

 that, unless the bird be scared out of it by a passer by, it 

 would scarcely attract the investigation of the most obser- 

 vant. The female is said to lay but one egg, but from having 



