l8o Suvi-EhDj, Material for a Study of the Megapodiidce. [,.t^'j"„ 



Curator of Birds, I ha\'e been allowed to borrow a skin and two 

 eggs of that species, as well as the aforesaid skeleton. The data 

 upon these will be found under the figures on the plates (Plates 

 XIV.-XX., figs. 29-44). It will not be necessary to reproduce 

 this in the present place. 



The eggs are perfect, and unusually fine specimens (see Plate 

 XV., figs. 30, 31), and they both bear the same museum number 

 (33,522), One is considerably lighter than the other, being a pure 

 buffy tan, and measures 10.8 x 6.5 cms. (Plate XV., fig. 30). In 

 form it is quite ellipsoidal, and presents a peculiar, low, colourless 

 elevation encircling its middle, with a mean width of a centimeter. 

 As stated, this egg is lighter than the other, shown in fig. 31 on 

 the same plate, though, photographically, it reproduced darker 

 for some reason. The specimen shown in fig. 31 is several shades 

 darker buff or tan than the specimen shown in fig. 30 ; and it is 

 not quite so truly ellipsoidal in contour, being inclined to be very 

 slightly smaller at one end. It measures 10.7 x 6.2 cms.* 



As in the case of various other eggs of Mound-Birds, the shells 

 of these are finely granulated, though not to the extent of 

 rendering them very rough. Under the lens, this granulation is 

 seen to be due to a very fine pitting all over the shell. There are 

 a few adventitious markings on the egg shqwn in fig. 30 ; but, 

 beyond these, the specimens are quite devoid of anything of the 

 kind. Apart from the matter of size, there is a great similarity 

 of form and colour in the eggs of nearly all Megapodes, the ovoid 

 shape being exceptional. 



Personally, I have never seen Megacephalon inaleo either alive 

 or "in the flesh " as a recently-killed specimen. The skin at 

 hand appears to be that of a very perfect male bird, in full 

 plumage (Plate XIV., fig. 29). Total length, about 50 cms. ; 

 length of head, 9.50 cms. ; tarsus, 8.8 cms. Top of head, the 

 cranial casque, and as far forward as the nostrils is bare, and of a 

 blackish-blue colour in the dried skin ; middle culmen scarlet ; 

 rest of the mandibles greenish-horn. External narial aperture 

 circular ; and between it and the eye, upon either side, a curious 

 tubercle is to be seen. Remainder of the skin of the head a 

 rather darkish-brown. Chest and upper parts and wings 

 blackish-brown. Tail and wings almost black, with deep greenish 

 reflections. Under parts, as far forwards as the wing butts, a 

 beautiful salmon-pink colour, rather darker on the sides. Tarsi 

 bluish-black. Claws pale brown, sharp and strong. Tegs 

 feathered black. Throat brown, naked, sparsely feathered with 

 very fine pin-feathers. 



llnder the title of " Rare Birds in Continental Zoos," Dr. 

 (iraham Renshaw, F.R.S.E., has given us some interesting notes 

 on this bird in TJic Aviciillural Mai^aziiie.f On ])agc i()3 in that 



* Koproduction of these plates and ligures may alter any one or more of 

 the diameters above recorded. 



t Being the journal of the Avicultural Society, 3rd series, vol. vi.. No. 5, 

 March, 1915, p. lOo. 



