AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 
113 
ORDER XXI. — PASSERIFORMES, PERCHING BIRDS. 
F. 105. Pteroptochidae, Tapaculos, Tilt-birds, 31 sp. Nl. 
F. 106. Conophagidae, Antwrens, 16 sp. Nl. 
F. 107. Formicariidae, Ant-thrushes, 348 sp. Nl. 
F. 108. Dendrocolaptidae, Wood-hewers, Spinetails, 405 sp. Nl. 
F. 109. Tyrannidae, Tyrant-birds, American Flycatchers, 
Kingbird, Phoebe, 560 sp— 41 (9) Nc, 551(519)N1. 
F. 110. Oxyrhamphidae, 3 sp. Nl. 
F. 111. Pipridae, Mannikins, 84 sp. Nl. 
F. 112. Gotingidae, Cotingas, Chatterers, 145 sp.— l(0)Nc., 
145(144)N1. 
F. 113. Phytotomidae, Plant-cutters, 4 sp. Nl. 
F. 114. PITTIDAE (4), ANT-THRUSHES, 63 sp.— 32 (32) A., 
30(30)0., 1(1)E. 
F. 115. PUlepitUdae, Wattled Ant-thrushes, 2 sp. E. (Mada- 
gascar). 
F. 116. Xenicidae, New Zealand Wrens, 4 sp. A. ((N.Z.). 
F. 117. ATRICHORNITHIDAE (2), SCRUB-BIRDS, 2 sp. 
A.(N.S.W., W.A.). 
owner. There are three species of these birds, found only in the 
mountainous parts of South-eastern Australia, and as far as 
Wide Bay, in Southern Queensland. Two of the species are 
found in New South Wales and Southern Queensland, while the 
third is found in Victoria. Though these beautiful birds are 
supposed to be protected, hundreds of their tails are sold annually 
in London. 
The Lyre Bird is responsible for the statement that Australia 
possesses **Wrens as large as peacocks," whereas most Wrens 
are very small. However, the Lyre Bird is not now classed with 
Wrens. In all its ways, the Lyre Bird is of interest. Its danc- 
ing mounds, its large domed nest, containing but one egg, and its 
remarkable mimicking powers have frequently been written about. 
Dr. Sharpe has lately placed the Lyre Birds in an Order by them- 
selves — Order XX. 
Gould considered the Lyre Bird the most shy of birds, for he 
spent days in the forest gullies surrounded by them, but though 
he was entertained by their many and varied calls, he caught no 
sight of a bird. The wonderful tail is not attained until the male 
bird is four years old. It is unique, and is the most beautiful 
tail ornament worn by any bird. Dr. Newton hoped that "so 
remarkable a form as the Lyre Bird, the nearly sole survivor, 
apparently, of a very ancient race of beings, will not be allowed 
to become extinct — its almost certain fate, so far as can be 
judged — without many more observations of its manners being 
made, and fuller details of them placed on record." Australians 
please note. You alone can assist by collecting facts and record- 
ing reliable observations. Bird-lovers hope that the Lyre Bird 
will be successfully established in the National Park, Wilson's 
Promontory, where some have already been placed, and so be 
preserved for future generations. Its large, domed nest is 
