Rendered conspicuous on account of the remarkable lyrate tail, from which the name is derived, the Lyre-birds, on closer acquaintance, prove to be exceedingly interesting forms, though materials for a really complete biography of the three known species are not yet available. The males, it seems, are skilled mimics, reproducing the songs of other birds with great fidelity, this being especially true of the species known as Prince Albert's Lyre-bird. During the courting-season the males construct hillocks, to which they resort to display their very beautiful and graceful tails, elevating them over the head, and drooping the wings after the fashion of a peacock, accompanying this display with certain spasmodic pecking and scratching actions. They are solitary birds, more than a pair never being seen together, and even these are exceedingly difficult to approach, stratagem always being necessary. But a single egg is laid, which has the appearance of being smeared with ink; whilst the young bird differs from that of all other perching-birds in the thickness of its downy covering and the great length of time in which it remains in the nest. The nest, made of sticks, moss, and fibres skilfully interwoven, and lined inside with the leaf of a tree-fern which resembles horse-hair, is a large domed structure, with a single aperture serving as an entrance.
Lyre-birds are essentially ground-dwellers, feeding upon insects, especially beetles and snails, and keeping to the wilder regions of the country.
The Scrub-bird is an extremely interesting form, scientifically. Only the males are known at the present time, and these are dull-coloured birds of the size of a thrush. Of the female, eggs, and nest, we as yet know absolutely nothing.
Chatterers, Ant-thrushes, Broad-bills, etc.
The second major division of the Perching-birds embraces a few forms of considerable interest.
The group of Chatterers includes several remarkable forms of very diverse coloration, many representing the most gorgeous of all South American birds.
Photo by W. F. Piggott] [Leighton Buzzard.
SAND-MARTINS.
This photograph shows a portion of a sand bank, pierced with the tunnel-like nests made by these feeble builders.