Middletown transcript., 1878-08-31
BeautIfal Birds,

1HE lMPRYAN PHEASANT.-AmOng
the PhasianidOs the Impeyan pleas
ant is one of the noblest species. He
lives among the mountain heights of
the Himalayas, scorning the lowlands,
where he has never been known to
descend. OF the color of this gorgeous
child of the forest it is difficult to give
an idea. Bronze green, iridescent
gold, and purple, radiant as if seen
through a golden haze, compose its
princely costume. On its head it
wears tuft of glistening green spirals,
broad at the top, each one delicate
and airy as might be a fairy's parssol.
During the winter months the snow
and cold drive these birds to congre-
gate in flocks in the most secluded
hooks of the mountains. Here the
hunter may surprise them and feast
his eyes-if, indeed, he have an eye
for beauty-On their wondrOus and
glistening plumage, At the approach
of spring they scatter, and ascend to
the high lands, where, thousands of
feet above the sea, they pass the warm
months in undisturbed seclusion.
The monauls are easily kept in
cages, and, unless subjected to heat
ed atmosphere, they take confinement
easily. The first living specimens
were brought to England by Lady
Impey, hence the English name of the
bird. 1t is necessary to provide the
cage with corner of retreat, for there
are seasons when this shy, sullen crea-
f1re would apparently prefer death to
the gaze of man.
The LYRE BIRD.-One of natures
singular and beautiful freaks is found
embodied in the lyre.bird, an inhabi-
tant of the mountains of Australia.
1t seems strange enough to find this
large bird classed with the'wren fam.
lily, those tiny Warblers) Of English
hedge-rows, but science pronounces
them of similar construction, however,
different in appearance. The name
of lyre-bird has been bestowed on &C
count of the resemblance of the tail
feathers of the male to an ancient
Tyre, the natives of Australia call it
bullen-balea, in imitation of its wild,
shrill cry. The color of its plumage
is rich rather than brilliant. Mostly
of a dark brownish-gray, Il is bright
ened by red on the throat and the
short feathers at the base of the tail.
1t is very shy in its habits, choosing
haunts among the thickly wooded
cliffs which are almost inaccessible to
the most daring hunter. Its nest is
generally placed in the crotch of some
tree very near the ground, as it is not
a bird of lofty flight, and loves best to
hide among the low undergrowth of
the forest. Its nest is roughly built of
sticks and leaves, of round form,
with the entrance on one side, and |
seen from little distance resembles a
heap Of forest rubbish tumbled togeth-
er by chance; but, inside, nothing |
could exceed the softness and delicacy |
of the feather lining supplied by the
mother bird. In this dOwny nest she
deposits one single egg of ashy gray
spotted with brown. As she only
nests once year, it is natural that
these birds should not be very numer-
Gus. They are generally found in
isolated pairs, and the male generally
resents any infringement upon his do
main, fighting with a good will any
other suitOr that may dare to casteyes
on his lady. This jealousy is often
made use of by the natives to entrap
the bird. They faaten tsil from
some captured bird upon the head
and cOncealing themselves in the
bushes move sufficiently to give a nat
ural swaying motion to the feather.
When the male sees the appearance
of a supposed rival, he advances, fu-
riOus for battle, and falls an easy prey
to the hunter.