THE AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FOWL. 45T 



woods would ring with the din of a hundred voices, as the happy conples met after the 

 period of separation and repose." The eye of this bird exhibits the same expression of fire 

 and animation seen in the game-cock. 



The general appearance of this bird is that of a long-tailed pigeon of rather superior size. 

 Its colors are plain greenish- olive. 



SEVERAL very singular birds are found in Australia and New Guinea, called by the name 

 of Megapodinae, or Great-footed birds, on account of the very large size of their feet ; a pro- 

 vision of nature which is necessary for their very peculiar mode of laying their eggs and 

 hatching their young. 



The first of these birds is the AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FOWL, .which is found in several parts 

 of Australia, but especially about Port Essington. In that country, great numbers of high 

 and large mounds of earth exist, which were formerly thought to be the tombs of departed 

 natives, and, indeed, have been more than once figured as such. The natives, however, dis- 

 claimed the sepulchral character, saying that they were origins of life rather than emblems 

 of death ; for that they were the artificial ovens in which the eggs of the Jungle Fowl were 

 laid, and which, by the heat that is always disengaged from decaying vegetable substances, 

 preserved sufficient warmth to hatch the eggs. 



The size of these tumuli is sometimes quite marvellous ; in one instance, where measure- 

 ments were taken, it was fifteen feet in perpendicular height, and sixty feet in circumference 

 at its base. The whole of this enormous mound was made by the industrious Jungle Fowl, by 

 gathering up the earth, fallen leaves, and grasses with its feet, and throwing them backwards 

 while it stands on the other leg. If the hand be inserted into the heap, the interior will always 

 be found to be quite hot. In almost every case the mound is placed under the shelter of 

 densely-leaved trees, so as to prevent the sun from shining upon any part of it. This pre- 

 caution is probably taken in order to prevent the rays of the sun from evaporating the moisture. 

 The aspect of the heap depends much on the surrounding objects ; and in one instance it was 

 placed close to the sea, just above high-water mark, and was composed of sand, shells, and 

 black mould. It was situated in the midst of a large yellow-blossomed hibiscus, by which it 

 was enveloped. 



The bird seems to deposit its eggs by digging holes from the top of the mound, laying 

 the egg at the bottom, and then making its way out again, throwing back the earth that 

 it had scooped away. The direction, however, of the holes is by no means uniform, some 

 running towards the centre and others radiating towards the sides. They do not seem to be 

 dug quite perpendicularly ; so that, although the holes in which the eggs are found may be 

 some six or seven feet in depth, the eggs themselves may be only two or three feet from the 

 surface. 



A further detailed account of these tumuli and the manner in which the bird lays its eggs 

 is given by Mr. Gilbert, whose researches are quoted in Gould's Birds of Australia : 



' ' The birds are said to lay but a single egg in each hole, and after the egg is deposited, 

 the earth is immediately thrown down lightly until the hole is filled up ; the upper part of the 

 mound is then smoothed and rounded over. It is easily known where a Jungle Fowl has been 

 recently excavating, from the distinct impression of its feet on the top and sides of the mound ; 

 and the earth being so lightly thrown over, that with a slender stick the direction of the hole 

 is readily detected, the ease or difficulty of thrusting the stick down indicating the length of 

 time that may have elapsed since the bird's operations. 



"Thus far it is easy enough, but to reach the eggs requires no little exertion and per- 

 severance. The natives dig them up with their hands alone, and only make sufficient room to 

 admit their bodies and to throw out the earth between their legs. By grubbing with their 

 fingers alone, they are enabled to feel the direction of the hole with greater certainty, which 

 will sometimes, at a depth of several feet, turn off abruptly at right angles, its direct course 

 being obstructed by a clump of wood or some other impediment. 



" Their patience is, however, often put to severe trials. In the present instance, the 

 native dug down six times to a depth of at least six or seven feet, without finding an egg, 



VOL. H.-58. 



