356 GALLIN.E. 



FAMILY II. 



Megapodid.e."' TJte Megcqoodes. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill moro or less robust, with the apical portion vaulted, and 

 the tip rather obtuse ; the wings moderate and much rounded ; the tarsi 

 long, robust, and usually covered with large scales; the toes lengthened, 

 strong, and covered above with strong scales, the hind toe long and entirely 

 resting on the ground ; the claws long, robust, and slightly curved. 



Tlie birds of this family are all inhabitants of tlie 

 islands of the Eastern Archipelago and Australia. 

 In their general conformation they have considerable 

 relationship with the Cracid^e^ especially in the 

 position of the hind toe, which is placed on the 

 same level as the anterior ones ; so that, in walking, 

 its whole lower surftice is applied to the ground. 



The habits of these birds are most singular. They 

 deposit their eggs in a heap of sand, or an accumu- 

 lation of dead leaves, and trust to the heat of the 

 sun, assisted in the latter case by the warmth pro- 

 duced by the decay of vegetable matter, to maintain 

 the temperature necessary for the maturation of the 

 young. The eggs are of enormous size, those of 

 the common Megapode exceeding in bulk the eggs 

 of the Swan. The eggs of the Talegalla are smooth 

 and white, about the size of those of the Pelican. 

 Those of Leipoa and Megapodius are covered with 

 a sort of epidermis, or sandy-coloured chalky layer, 

 which is readily removed from the true shell beneath. 

 With respect to the size of these eggs, the intent is 

 evident ; they are destined to imprison and afford 

 food to the young chick, till it has grown to a com- 

 paratively large size. The young bird possesses 

 great strength, and when it breaks the strong shell, 

 it emerges completely clad, and works its way 

 through the substance of the mound in which the 

 egg was buried. 



This family consists of the Talegallas or Brush 

 Turkeys, and the Mound-birds. 



* [Xfyag, megas great ; ttovq, irndog, pous, podos, a foot ; Great- 

 foot. 



