from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lyre bird \Lyre" bird`\n. (Zool.)
Any one of two or three species of Australian birds of the
genus {Menura}. The male is remarkable for having the sixteen
tail feathers very long and, when spread, arranged in the
form of a lyre. The common lyre bird ({Menura superba}),
inhabiting New South Wales, is about the size of a grouse.
Its general color is brown, with rufous color on the throat,
wings, tail coverts and tail. Called also {lyre pheasant} and
{lyre-tail}.
[1913 Webster]