The lyrebird is a remarkable Australian bird which derives its name from the form of the tail in the male, which much resembles that of the conventional Apollo's lyre; the tail of the female is rather long, but simply wedge-shaped. There are two species, about the size of chickens, both reddish brown and called «native pheasants» by the colonists, constituting the genus Menura and family Menuridte, and regarded as the lowliest of the Passeres, and of very ancient origin. Lyrebirds dwell in the «scrub» or open woods, and rarely leave the ground, avoiding their enemies by swift running. Their nests are placed upon the ground, are well woven of sticks and plant-stems and are covered by a dome-like roof, leaving an entrance only at the sides. In the mating season the lyrebird males scrape up mounds of leaves and rubbish upon which they strut about, sing and do their best to display their long and handsome tails to the hens. The better known species is the long-tailed one (Menura superba) but both are now rare.
