LYRE-BIRD. 
81 
it is still called pheasant/^ This place and name have been 
acquired, not only from its size and general figure, but from 
the noble long tail of the male, two of the feathers of which 
are much larger than the others, and are bent so as to as- 
sume, when the tail is expanded, somewhat of the form of an 
ancient lyre : hence the name of Lyre-bird {Menura superha)^ 
by which this fine bird is usually known. Notwithstanding 
its size, and the curious form of the tail, this large bird, says 
Gould, '^in almost every other point presents a striking re- 
semblance to its minute congeners : like them, it possesses 
the bristles at the base of the bill; the same unusual mass of 
loose, flowing, hair-like feathers on the back and rump; the 
same extraordinary power of running; the like feebleness of 
flight ;^^ and the young, unlike those of the Gallinacea, are 
said to be helpless and blind when hatched, like those of the 
other perching birds. 
This bird is perhaps the largest of song-birds ; it has an 
inward and varied song, the lower notes of which can only 
be heard when the observer is close to the bird. Mr. Gould 
describes its animated strain as being frequently discon- 
tinued abruptly, and again commenced with a low, inward, 
snapping noise, ending with an imitation of the loud and 
full note of the Satin-bird, and always accompanied with a 
G 
