•BIRDS. 
322 
Passeres. 
Sylviid.e. 
gi'eat facility and .scratches after the fashion of the true 
Gallinae. So swift is it in its movements among the 
brushes of New South Wales, to which colony it is pecu- 
liar, that Mr. Gould declares it to be the most diflicult 
to procure of all the birds he ever met with. “ While 
among the brushes,” says that distinguished ornitholo- 
gist, “ I have been surrounded by these birds, pouring 
forth their loud and liquid calls, for days together; and 
it was only by the most determined perseverance and 
extreme caution, that I was enabled to elfect this 
desirable object.” 
Besides the loud call alluded to by ]\[r. Gould in the 
above extract, the Lyre-bird is found to possess a 
sweet and varied song, which is incompatible with 
gallinaceous nature. Its nest also is a neat structure, 
composeil of sticks, roots, and moss, and covered with 
a dorae-like roof; in this it lays usually two eggs, of a 
Tribe III.— DI 
The birds forming this group of the passerine order are 
distinguished from those of both the preceding and fol- 
lowing tribes, by having a more or less distinct tooth on 
each side of the upper mandible near the tip, which is 
also usually more or less hooked. The bill itself is 
sometimes slender and weak, sometimes stout and 
powerful; the teeth are generally strongest in the latter 
case, and some of these birds are as predaceous in their 
habits as the smaller hawks. The feet are slender, but 
whitish colour, speckled with red. The food of the 
bird consists of insects, especially in the larval state, 
and, according to M. Verreaux, the larvaj of a species 
of cockchafer constitute its favourite food. The same 
ornithologist tells us, that when they quit their resting 
places in search of food, the males are usually followed 
by several females, although during the breeding 
season they live in pairs, and he adds, that besides 
their natural song, they imitate the notes of all other 
birds so accurately, as to deceive not only the orni- 
thologist, but even the birds themselves. 
A second species of the genus Menura was described 
about ten years since by Mr. Gould, under the name 
of Menura Alberti, Prince Albert’s Lyre-bird. It 
has a less developed tail than the M. superha, and is 
rather smaller in size, but agrees with it in its general 
appearance and habits. 
S^TIKOSTRES. 
generally armed with curved and acute claws. The 
number of sjiecies belonging to this group is very great, 
and they are divided into five families. 
Family L— SYLVIID.®. 
We commence with this family as making the nearest 
approach in its short slender bill to the Wrens with 
which the last tribe was concluded. The sides of the 
Fig. 109. 
The Niglitingale (Philomela luscinia). 
upper mandible are but slightly notched. The nostrils 
are placed at the base of the bill in a groove, and are 
uncovered. The birds have long wings and slender 
tarsi and toes, terminated by claws of moderate length. 
They are for the most part distinguished by a great 
power of song, and the term Warblers has been applied 
to the family. Their food consists almost entirely of 
insects and worms; and hence those species which inha- 
bit cold and temperate climates are generally migratory. 
THE NIGHTINGALE {Philomela luscinia)— 109. 
— We cannot better commence our illustrations of this 
family of vocalists than with the description of this bird, 
which is universally, and perhaps with justice, regarded 
as the most charming songster of our woods and groves. 
