112 THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE L1NNEAN SOCIETY 



grasses drawn over the entrance. It is placed among the 

 stronger grasses, or small bushes which grow here and there on 

 the grass flats, or amongst the leaves of the Pandanus acguaticus. 

 The eggs are from five to six in number ; in length from 0'6 

 inch to 064 inch ; diameter at the larger end from 0*44 to 0'46 

 inch. The shell is white outside, with a faint greenish tinge 

 inside. 



Note on the Eggs of Megapodius cuvieri. 

 Taleg alius Cuvieri of Lesson. 



Colour of a deep rich bright salmon buff, brighter than that of 

 any other Megapodius* eggs I have seen, and resembling most, 

 those of Leipoa ocellala. They are also of a greater diameter 

 and not so eloDgate as is usual with the eggs of birds of this 

 family. 



Total length, 3'95 inches ; breadth, 2*5 inches. 



This specimen was taken from the oviduct of a bird shot at 

 Port Moresby by Mr. Goldie, in 1876. 



By way of comparison I give the following measurements of 

 eggs of other species, taken from my note book : — 



length. breadth. 



Megapodius cuvieri 3*95 inches ... 25 inches. 



Megapodius tumulus, a very elongate 

 specimen 3*63 „ ... 22 



Megapodius, sp. from Island of Kera, 

 one of the Solomon group 3*2 ,, ... T9 



Megapodius, sp. (M. brazeri) from 

 Island of Savo, Solomon group, laid 

 by a bird brought on board H.M.S. 

 " Beagle " by a native ... 3 „ ... 1*95 



Megapodius Macgillivrayi ? from 

 New Ireland, from the Rev. 

 Brown's collection 



j> 



5J 



15 

 it 



