Vol.^ xiX.j Shufeldt, Material for a Study of the Megapodiida;. 17 



It may be said, in connection with this Nicobar Mcgapode, that 

 Lister, in his above-cited article, introduces excellent evidence 

 going to show that Megapodes have been domesticated or semi- 

 domesticated by the natives, and in some instances transported 

 from one island to another. As we might naturally expect, there 

 are many traditions among the natives in regard to these birds, 

 and viirious authors have touched upon this part of the subject.* 



Megapodius cumingi. 

 (Plate I., fig. 2.) 

 Cuming's Mcgapode is the species which is found in the 

 Philippines, in the islands of North-West Borneo, and in the 

 Celebes.! It resembles, in some respects, the Nicobar Megapode 

 — that is, in size and form, while in plumage it is a much darker 

 form. The feet are not so stout, and the claws are much more 

 slender (Plate II., figs. 3 and 4). 



The general plumage is a deep olive-brown, the feathers of the 

 lower parts and back being rather glossy. J 



There is a good typical specimen in the collection of the United 

 States National Museum which formerly belonged to the " Menage 

 Collection " (No. 4,103). It is a male bird (adult), taken at 

 P. I., Palawan, by D. C. Worcester and F. S. Bourns, 5th January, 

 1892. The natives call this fowl " Tabon," and it is the only 

 species that occurs in the Philippines (No. 233,660). 



The following specimens in the collection of the United States 

 National Museum have been studied by me, and at the present 

 writing (19th September, 1914) they comprise the entire series 

 (if we include No. 233,660, noted in the last paragraph) in the 

 collection of that museum : — 

 No. 107,647, S (two original labels), original No. 1,302. Alf. 



Marche. 

 No. 192,551 (original label No. 3,010). — Fugo, P. I., 30th August, 



1903. Philippine Museum. R. C. M'Gregor and A. 



Celestino, collectors. 

 No. 201,739, c^. — Fugo Island. Shot by Pte. West, 29tli May, 



1907. Dr. E. A. Mearns. 

 No. 200,692, ?, ad. — Baluk Baluk Island, P.I., Sulu Sea, Dr. 



Edgar A. Mearns. Shot by Lieut. Gordon Johnson; U.S.A. 



" There are hundreds of nesting-mounds on the island " 



(E. A. M.) (13,883). 



♦Woodford, C. M., F.Z.S., 1888, p. 249. 

 t Dillwyn, P.Z.S., 1851, p. 118, pi. xxxix. {M. pusillus). 

 Tweeddale, P.Z.S., 1877, p. 765 (Zebu), pi. Ixxviii. This plate is a 

 fairly good figure of the bird. The specimen is standing, and much 

 reduced. Both papers have been read by me. 



Ogilvie-Grant, \V. R., " Cat. Birds Brit. Mus.," vol. xxii. Description, 

 " Bill horn-vellow ; iris warm brown," skin on neck as in .1/. nicobariensis, 

 &c. 



J Rothschild and Hartcrt, "Notes on Papuan Birds," Novitatcs Zoo- 

 logies, vol. viii., p. 1J5, 1901. 



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