MEGAPODIDJ). 



357 



SUB-FAMILY I. 



Talegallix^. 



TJie Talegallas. 



Gen. Chabac. — Bill moderate and robust, ynth. the eulmen elevated at the 

 base and curved towards the tip, which is obtuse, the sides compressed, the 

 lateral margins curved, and the gonys moderate and slightly ascending. 



^-.^^^'^->^f^l^'^^^^). 



Fig. 144.— the kbd-footed talegalla. 



(Megaeejilialou rxjipes. ) 



These birds are found in tlie dense brushes, 

 scrubby gullies, and primeval forests of Australia 

 and New Gruinea, where they are met with in small 

 flocks on the ground ; they are shy and fearful, and 

 when disturbed endeavour to escape by running 

 into the thick " brush/ ^ or by flying on to the 

 branches of trees, and then ascending to the top, 

 which they gain by leaping from boug-h to bough; 

 and having attained the summit, sometimes fly off 

 R 3 



