. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. HABITS OF THE LYIIE-BIUD. 267 ^vlll be attracted within the rauRo of tlio rrun. If tlie binl be hidden from view by siuTduiubno- objects, any unusual sound, such us a shrill whistle, will generally induce him to sliow himself for an instant, by causing him to leap with a gay and snri"]itly air upon some neighbouring brancli to ascertain the cause of the disturbance ; advantaoe must I.,' taken of this circumstance immediately, or the next moment it may be half-wa"v down the gully. '' T
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. HABITS OF THE LYIIE-BIUD. 267 ^vlll be attracted within the rauRo of tlio rrun. If tlie binl be hidden from view by siuTduiubno- objects, any unusual sound, such us a shrill whistle, will generally induce him to sliow himself for an instant, by causing him to leap with a gay and snri"]itly air upon some neighbouring brancli to ascertain the cause of the disturbance ; advantaoe must I.,' taken of this circumstance immediately, or the next moment it may be half-wa"v down the gully. '' The .Menura seldom, if ever, attempts to escape by flight, but easily eludes pursuit by its extraordinary powers of running. None are so eliicient in obtaining specimens as tlio ked I ilack, noiseless and gliding steps enable him to steal upon it unheard or perceived, and with a gun in his hand he rarely allows it to escape, and in many itauces he will even kill it with his own weaiions. luiKed lilacR, noiseless and Ull] instances ne win even kui it wun nis own weapons. The L>Te-bird is of a wandering disposition, and although it proliably keeps to the ?iini(' Inish, it is constantly engaged in traversing it from one end to the other, from the iiiuuntain Ijase to the top of the gullies, M-liose steep and rugged sides present no obstacle to its long legs and powerful muscular thighs. It is also capable of performing extra- cpidinary leaps, and I have heard it stated that it will spring ten feet perpendicularly from tlic ground. Among its many curious haliits, Hie only one at all approaching to those of the Ciallinacete is that of small round liillocks,\vhich are constantly vfsited duriii"- tli(> day. and upon which the male is continually tramping, at the same time erecting and spreading out its tail in the most graceful manner, and uttering its various cries, some- times ]iouriiig forth its natural notes, at others imitating thosi? of other bir
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
