Dance of the Lyre-Bird

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 496, 27 October 1928, Page 26

Dance of the Lyre-Bird

Elusive Bush Denizen Acts for the Films.

life story of the lyrebird holds as much romance probably as that of any other of the world’s creatures. Its 1 A). --j- l&M reputation is worldwide. It has been studied thoroughly of late years, aud much of the mystery attached to its habits has disappeared, writes R. T. Littlejohns in “The Argus,” but it possesses, still, some subtle attraction. Mr. Tom Tregellas has spent every spare minute with the bird for 15 years, and, despite the fact that he is already the greatest authority on its habits, his enthusiasm is undiminished. How many creatures could provide thrills after such a long acquaintanceship I confess to feeling the spell more than a little myself. After five years devoted to filming the lyre-bird in its natural surroundings I feel that I have only commenced to learn its history. After having waited and planned for years to film the “dance” of the male bird, I am somewhat regretful that the task is at last accomplished, and that my association with an unsatisfactory film actor is practically at an end. - The lack of strong light in the forest makes photography a heartbreaking business; therefore the charm of the subject must be responsible for my regrets. The dance is performed by the male bird in order to show to advantage “one of the most remarkable ornaments worn by any bird.” That ornament consists, primarily, of two long broad feathers gracefully curved and finished with a beautiful black curl on each. These feathers are darkcoloured and faintly barred on their upper surfaces; underneath they are white, and conspicuously barred with brown. Between the large feathers are several filmy white ones, with long webbing at wide intervals along the shafts. In the centre are two long and gracefully curved narrow feathers. In ordinary circumstances the tail is carried horizontally, and closely folded. In this position it is inconspicuous. During the display, however, it is opened, and carried in such positions as to present the conspicuous underside to view. In printed illustrations the tail of the male lyrebird is usually represented in the shape of the ancient instrument from which the species derives its name. In life the tail rarely, if ever, assumes that form. This fact came as d great shock to me. I have not at any time seen a bird dance with the tail held in the position indicated, nor does a careful study of more than 3,000 minute pictures in my film disclose anything approaching the lyre shape. - Perhaps

if the experience of Mr. Tregellas and of other close observers supports my view, the authorities will be prepared to include one specimen, at least, in typical dancing attitude. Remarkable Feather Control The control of the tail feathers appears to be remarkable in spite of the fact that they are roughly twice the length of the bird’s body, and are of considerable "weight. The large feathers are often depressed while the filmy feathers are still raised, and the filmy feathers are frequently vibrated rapidly while other portions of the tail remain practically motionless. Usually the display is carried out on small circular patches or “mounds.’ cleared aud finely tilled. Often, however, the ceremony is performed on any clear space on the forest floor, or even on a fallen log. One bird may visit and sing on 20 or more mounds during the day. In my experience the dancing is always accompanied by some vocal effort, although the bird frequently sings without dancing. The vocal accompaniment is a most helpful indication to anyone who desires to witness the dancing. One young male last year treated me to a couple of exhibitions of a real “dance.” His tail was short, and broad feathers took the place of the filmy white ones. He danced before a female, within 15 feet of me, for minutes at a time. His actions reminded one strongly of the dances which were popular a score of years ago. There was much bowing, advancing, retiring and side-stepping, and even a couple of complete “swings.” I have been asked often whether the female bird also dances. I am not quite sure, but I think not. Young males before attaining full plumage are difficult to distinguish fro® females, so I am unable to prove whether birds without full tails were females or young males. Often there are four or five such birds together, and as some have not been seen to dance it seems to be safe to assume that the dancers were young males, jis an established fact, however, tha the female is no less capable as • singer than the male.