1 68 Allen's naturalist's library. 



birds, and from them I learnt that they usually get four or five 

 eggs from a mound, but sometimes they get as many as ten ; 

 they all assert that only one pair of birds are concerned in the 

 making of a mound, and that they only work at night. When 

 newly made, the mounds (so I was informed) are small, but 



are gradually enlarged by the birds 



The eggs are usually buried from three-and-a-half to four 

 feet deep, and how the young manage to extricate themselves 

 from the superincumbent mass of soil and rubbish seems a 

 mystery. I could not obtain any information from natives on 

 this point, but most probably they are assisted by their parents, 

 if not entirely freed by them, for these latter, so the natives 

 affirm, are always to be found in the vicinity of the mounds 

 where their eggs are deposited. 



" The surface soil of the mounds only is dry ; at about a 

 foot from the surface the sand feels slightly damp and cold, but 

 as the depth increases the sand gets damper, but at the same 

 time increases in warmth." 



Eggs. — Very large elongate ovals, uniform in colour and of 

 three distinct types, dull clayey-pink, earthy-yellow, and earthy- 

 brown of several shades. Average measurements, 3*25 by 

 2*07 inches. 



II. THE TENIMBER MEGAPODE. MEGAPODIUS 

 TENIMBERENSIS. 



Megapodius tenimberensis, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 57; Ogilvie- 

 Grant, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 448 (1893). 



Adult Male. — Closely resembles M. iiicoharietisis^ but may be 

 recognised by having the outer webs of the outer primary 

 quills pale brown ; the upper part of the mantle may be very 

 slightly washed with grey and the sides of the head, chin, and 

 throat are more thickly covered with small feathers. Total 

 length, 14 inches ; wing, 9-6 ; tail, 3-5 ; tarsus, 2-9. 



The adult female is no doubt similar to the male, but the 



