SINGING BLEDS. 553 
This bird, with tail feathers so strikingly developed (Fig. 
477), is so peculiar among higher Passeres that it has been 
proposed to separate it, with certain probable allies, from 
all the rest. 
The Oscines are represented by a host of species. These 
birds stand at the head of their class ; and as they are mostly 
Fig. 477.—The Lyre-bird of Australia (Menura superba). 
of small size, it may be said of them that they excel in qual- 
ity, not quantity ; most of them sing, being highly wrought, 
exquisite winged gems. Among the most notable are the 
jays, including the magpie of the Rocky Mountains (Fig. 
