223 THE LYRE BIRD. 
tralia a region peculiarly adapted to its nature. At a variable 
distance from the sea rises a range of mountains, the swell 
of which is undulating rather than precipitous, while the 
summits expand into immense open downs and grassy plains. 
These are studded with belts and forests of trees, and appear 
like a succession of vast parks. As the hills and plateaus 
sink into the cup-like depression of the interior, marshy 
grounds alternate with parched and sterile barrens; but sea- 
ward, the soil is of almost inconceivable richness. Here, a 
tropical luxuriance prevails. Forests of immense, ever ver- 
dant, blooming trees, are broken by rich meadow-like dis- 
triets admirably suited to grazing purposes. Indeed, the 
country as described, is so charming, that it might be con- 
sidered almost a Paradise were it not for the intense heat of 
summer, increased, as it is, by the hot dry winds which 
blow southward from more northerly regions.  Parching 
droughts are succeeded by torrents of rain, which, collecting 
on the hills and plains, and advancing through their stream- 
lets, pour in swollen floods down the mountain sides to the 
sea, carrying destruction on every hand. Thus are the sea- 
ward slopes washed into gullies and ravines, which are left 
obstructed by fallen trees and branches. Over these active 
nature soon spreads a mantle of greenness and bloom, by 
means of rapidly growmg creeping vines, forming almost in- 
accessible fastnesses. In these secluded haunts the Lyre 
Bird hides itself from the gaze of man. It is found over a 
large extent of country, but is peculiar to the mountain dis- 
tricts of Australia, and especially to those on the south- 
eastern face of the continent. Two species are known; one, 
Menura superba, the well-known Lyre Bird, the other a 
closely allied species, Menura Albertii. 
Australia is a country of wonders, where even the leaves 
of the trees are so disposed that they present but little surface 
to the scorching sun, and, consequently, are almost valueless 
for shade; and where, both in the vegetable and animal 
world, are curious furms existing nowhere else on the globe. 
