Page:The three colonies of Australia.djvu/302

 closely examining the shy and curious lyre bird (Menura superba), which is peculiar to Australia, and only found on the south-eastern

LYRE BIRD.

coast. The settlers sometimes called it a pheasant, but it is in reality one of the thrush family.

"I was awakened," writes Mr. Hawdon, "at sunrise by the singing of numerous pheasants. These are the mocking-birds of Australia, imitating all sounds that are heard in the bush in great perfection; they are about the size of a small fowl, of a dirty brown colour, approaching to black in some parts; their greatest attraction consists in the graceful tail of the cock bird, which is something like a lyre. But little is known of their habits, for it is seldom they are found near the dwellings of civilised man.

"Hearing one scratching in the scrub close to the dray, I crawled out, gun in hand, intending to provide a fresh meal for breakfast. The