colonists, the `Menura superba' of naturalists, and the
`Beleck, beleck,' and `Balaugara' of the aboriginal tribes,
is abundant about the mountain ranges, in all parts of the
colony."

1846. G. H. Haydon, `Five Years in Australia Felix,'
p. 132:

"Numerous pheasants (<i>Menura superba</i>). These birds are
the mocking-birds of Australia, imitating all the sounds that
are heard in the bush in great perfection. They are about the
size of a barn-door fowl, and are not remarkable for any beauty
either in the shape or colour, being of a dirty brown,
approaching to black in some parts; their greatest attraction
consists in the graceful tail of the cock bird, which assumes
something the appearance of a lyre, for which reason some
naturalists have called them lyre-birds."

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iii. pl. 14:

"<i>Menura superba</i>, Davies, Lyre-bird; Pheasant of the
Colonists. Were I requested to suggest an emblem for Australia
amongst its birds, I should without the slightest hesitation
select the <i>Menura</i> as the most appropriate, being
strictly peculiar to Australia."

1864. J. S. Moore, `Spring-Life Lyrics;' p. 92:

"Shy as the lyre-bird, hidden away,
A glittering waif in the wild."

1867. G. G. McCrae, `Balladeadro,' p. 30:

"There the proud lyre-bird spreads his tail,
And mocks the notes of hill and dale
Whether the wild dog's plaintive howl
Or cry of piping water-fowl."

1872. A. McFarland, `Illawarra Manaro,' p. 54:

"The Lyre-bird may yet be seen--more frequently heard--amongst
the gullies and ravines. It has the power of imitating every
other bird, and nearly every sound it hears in the bush-even
that of a cross-cut saw."

1886. J. A. Fronde, `Oceana,' p. 146:

"Here, too, for the first time, we saw a lyre-bird, which some
one had just shot, the body being like a coot's, and about the
same size, the tail long as the tail of a bird of paradise,
beautifully marked in bright brown, with the two chief feathers
curved into the shape of a Greek lyre, from which it takes its
name."

1890. `Victorian Statutes'--Game Act, Third Schedule:

[Close Season.] "Lyre Birds. The whole year."

1893. `The Age,' Aug. 7, p. vi, col. 9:

"There are more reasons than one why the lyre-bird should be
preserved. From a purely utilitarian point of view it is of
value, for it is insectivorous and preys upon insects which are
apt to prefer orchard fruit to their natural bush f