THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
birds, the Thombills and Scrub-Wrens, always followed in sequence, and 
when these calls were uttered the whole volume of the Lyre-Bird’s voice was 
modulated and toned down to low whispering notes.” 
In the Australian Zoologist, Vol. I., pt. 4, Oct. 8, 1917, pp. 81-82, pis. 
vn and vm., appeared some good nesting notes on the typical Lyre-Bird, 
by John Ramsay and Albert E. Keene, which are here reproduced : — 
“ A Lyre-Bird was heard calhng on the range at the back of Point 
Clare, near Gosford, New South Wales, on 26th June, 1916, so a careful 
search was instituted, with the result that, when least expected, the 
female bird was flushed from a nest containing a warm egg. The nest 
was a typical one of the species, placed on a flat rock at the base of 
a sapling, and surrounded by a wealth of ferns and scrub, on the steep 
slope of a dry watercourse. On again inspecting the nest on 1st July, 
the egg was found to be quite cold, and fears were entertained that the 
nest had been deserted, but a ‘ hiding-tent ’ was placed in position near 
the nest and left overnight. At 9.30 a.m. on the 2nd July, the egg was 
still cold, and there was no sign of the parent bird. About 1.30 p.m. 
she appeared, lookmg very anxious and wary. For half an hour she made 
a careful mspection of the tent and surroundings, even peering through the 
opening at the photographer, Mr. Keene, who, with cramped hmbs, hardly 
dared to breathe for fear of scaring her away again. Satisfied at last 
she stepped on to the stone below and ia front of the nest paused a 
moment, and was ‘ snapped.’ At the chck of the shutter she darted away, 
and after waiting half an hour in the hope of her return, the photographer 
left without seeing her again. On the following Sunday (9th July) the egg 
was examined and found to be quite cold at 9.30 a.m., and the hird was 
not heard approaching until 11.30 a.m. She appeared to be feeding on 
the way, never ceasing to scratch as she gradually approached. She was 
obviously less timid than on the previous occasion, but made a careful 
inspection of the tent, as before, putting her head within a foot or two 
of the entrance and peering through the narrow opening. All being stfll, 
she walked again to the stone and leaped lightly and easily on to the 
nest, a distance of at least three feet. Hardly pausing, she entered the 
nest, turned roimd, and settled herself on the egg. After leaving her for 
some little time, the photographer showed himseh at the side of the tent, 
when she sHpped out of the nest and ran off, though apparently not greatly 
frightened. She was heard scratching close by during the next half hour, 
and then, after the usual inspection, she returned to the nest, and was 
allowed to remain undisturbed. This procedure was maintained until the 
30th July. At 9 a.m. each day the egg was found to be cold, and there 
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