MENURA SUPERBA. Davies. 
LYRE BIRD. 
Menura stiperba. — Davies, Linn. Trans., Vol. VII. p. 207, pi. 22. — Lath., Ind. Orn. Supp., p. 61. — Shaw, Gen. Zool., 
Vol. XIV. p. 313. — Gould, Birds of Austr., Vol. III. pi. 14. 
Le Parkinson. — Vieill, Ois. de Parad., pis. 14, 15, 16. 
Megapodius menura. — Wagl., Sys. Av., sp. r. 
Menura Lyra. — Shaw, Nat. Misc., pi. 577. — Vieill, Gal. des Ois., pi. 192. — G. R. Gray, List of Gen. of Birds, p. 71. 
Memi/ra Novce-Hollandice. — Lath., Ind. Orn. Supp., p. 61. — -Temm., Man., T. I. p. 50. — Less., Traite d’Orn., p. 478, pi. 88. 
Menura paradisea. — Swain, Class, of Birds, Vol. II, P' 35 !• 
Superb Menura. — Lath., Gen. Syn., Vol. II. p. 271. — lb., Gen. Hist., Vol. VIII. p. 159, pi. 124. 
r T A HIS strange species is a native of Australia, where it seems to be restricted to the interior of New South Wales. It is 
eagerly sought after by the natives, who use the tail leathers in the manufacture of their ornaments. Being very shy, 
and frequenting an almost inaccessible portion of the country, it is not strange that perfect birds are rather difficult to 
obtain. All the naturalists who have visited that country agree that it is only by great care and perseverance that they have 
been able to procure specimens. 
According to those who have seen the Lyre Bird in a wild state, it rarely, if ever, leaves the ground, but trusts entirely 
to its powers of running to escape its pursuers. Many expedients are resorted to by the hunters to procure it. It is said 
that if suddenly startled by the sight of a dog, it will take to the branches of a tree, and while its attention is attracted by 
the barking of the dog it may be easily shot. Sometimes the tail of an adult bird is fastened to the hat of the hunter, and 
while passing cautiously through the thick brush, a male will sometimes show itself while endeavoring to obtain a view of 
what it supposes to be another of its species. 
Gould, in writing of this species, says: “Although upon one occasion 1 forced this bird to take wing, it was merely for 
the purpose of descending a gully, and I am led to believe that it seldom exerts this power unless under similar circumstances. 
It is particularly partial to traversing the trunks of fallen trees, and frequently attains a considerable altitude by leaping 
from branch to branch. Independently of its loud, full call, which may be heard reverberating over the gullies to the 
distance of at least a quarter of a mile, it possesses an inward and varied song, the lower notes of which can be heard 
when you have successfully approached to within a few yards of the bird during the time it is singing. This animated 
strain is frequently discontinued 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 tremulous motion of the tail. The 
food of the Menura appears to consist principally of insects, particularly centipedes and coleoptera. I also found the 
remains of shelled snails in the gizzard, which is very strong and muscular.” 
It is claimed that the Lyre Bird lays two eggs of a light color, covered with small red spots. The nest is a large, 
rough structure, generally built upon a rock or trunk of a fallen tree. 
Adult male. — Head slightly crested; general plumage brown, the secondaries and upper tail coverts showing reddish 
brown; a tinge of rufous on the throat; underparts grayish, palest on the vent; tail composed of sixteen feathers, very long, 
and shaped in the form of a lyre; the upper surface of the feathers dark brown, the under surface silvery gray; a band of 
dark brown at the tips of the large outer feathers. These feathers are marked by numerous perfectly transparent bands, 
