136 
LITTLE FOLKS 
The Lyre Bird's nest is as curious as anything about him. It 
is built of sticks and roots and leaves, and has a roof of the same 
material. It is loosely built, and looks rough outside, but inside 
it is lined with soft down and feathers. 
The egg is about the size of a hen's egg, and of a deep choco- 
late color spotted with purple. I read of a nest which was taken 
with a young bird in. The young one was about sixteen inches 
high, and was not frightened, but would follow anyone who imitated 
the call of the mother. They fed it with worms and ants, but it 
died in a few days. 
This bird usually carries its long tail up — as in the picture — 
though perhaps not quite so much spread out. He even flies or 
leaps into trees with it so, but when running away from his 
enemies he holds it out straight behind. 
Here is the drollest of all. A bird without wings or tall 
whose very name — Apteryx — means wingless. How wise he 
looks bending over the water, with that long pointed bill hanging 
down. 
This curious fellow lives in New Zealand, but you might live 
there all your days and never see one, because he only comes out 
at night. Perhaps it is because he feels himself to be a curiosity, 
and don't like to be stared at. 
