2 00 Allen's naturalist's library. 



season (according to the accounts, many hundreds, or even 

 thousands) were obliged to remain in the vicinity, the greater 

 part would perish of hunger. 



"In the structure of the feet of the Megacephalon we may see 

 a reason why it departs from the habits of its nearest allies, the 

 Megapodii and Talegalli, which generally heap up mounds of 

 earth and rubbish in which to bury their eggs. The feet of 

 the Maleos are not nearly so strong in proportion as those of 

 the former birds, while the claws are short and straight, instead 

 of being very long and greatly curved." 



Eggs. — Pale brownish-red. Measurements, 4*3 by 2*4 

 inches. 



THE CURASSOWS. FAMILY CRACID.'E. 



As in the MegapodiidcE, the hind-toe or hallux is on the same 

 level as the other toes, and its basal phalanx is as long as that 

 of the third toe. 



They differ from the Megapodes in having the oil-gland 

 tufted. 



The nest is made either in a tree or on the ground, and the 

 eggs, which are white, are incubated in the usual manner. 

 THE TRUE CURASSOWS. GENUS CRAX. 

 Ovz.v, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 269 (1766). 

 Type, C. aledor (L.). 



Bill stout, the depth of the upper mandible being greater 

 than the width. 



Feathers on the top of the head senii-ered and cinied at the 

 extremity. 



With or without a swollen knob at the base of the upper 

 mandible. 



Wattles at the base of the lower mandible present or absent. 



Tail composed of tivelve feathers. 



In this genus the females differ one from another in plumage 

 '^2.1 more than the males, all of which are very similar in plumage. 



