SUMMARYRobinson, F. N. 1977. Environmental origins of the Menurae. Emu 77: 167–168.The Menurae at present inhabit cool wet forests and both lyrebirds and the Rufous Scrub-bird may still be found in temperate rainforest (Nothofagus), in which it is probable that the Menurae originated. The known history ofNothofagusleads to the conclusion that the Menurae are of southern origin and both breeding and vocal behaviour support this. If they are indeed related to the Ptilonorhynchinae (bowerbirds) and Paradisaeinae (birds-of-paradise), it may be that they closely resemble a common ancestral type from which the latter family has diverged so far that this relationship cannot be satisfactorily established by present taxonomic methods.