Lyrebirds, late 19th century
Native to Australia, lyrebirds are named because their outer tail feathers are broad and curved in a S shape that together resemble the shape of the stringed musical instrument, a lyre. These lyrebirds were bought by Lady Russell-Cotes when she was in Australia in 1885. The background of the case was painted in 1920 by the museum’s first curator Richard Quick.
