-MEGAPODIIDAE 



193 



reddish-orange and yellow respectively. T. fuscirostris, of South 

 and East Xew Guinea, with the Aru Islands, differs in its grey- 

 black bare areas and brown bill ; T. Johicnsis, of Jobi Island and 

 East New Guinea, has the bill, feet, and naked skin red. Tlie 

 habits resemble those of Catheturus : the mounds, which reach 

 an internal temperature of 93" F., are sometimes eleven feet 

 high ; the eggs are reddisli with a chalky incrustation. 



Lipoa occllata, the Native Pheasant or Mallee Hen of South 

 and "West Australia, has grey and brown upper parts, with black, 



Fig. 44. — " Brush Turkey." Catheturus lathami. x J. 



buff, and white markings, which form eyes on the wings and 

 back. The breast is grey with a median black and white line, 

 the remaining lower parts being whitish with a rufous tinge. 

 The naked parts are pale blue, the bill and feet brown. This bird 

 frequents both open parts of the "brushes" and dense thickets, while 

 in manners it differs but little from the members of the last two 

 genera. The mounds — usually in close proximity — are, however, 

 smaller as a rule, and are stated to be used by single hens, a fact 

 no doubt true in many cases. The six to eight eggs, which are 

 pinkish-white, but become red-brown in a few days, are very 

 fragile, as in other Megapodes. The natives say that an egg is 

 VOL. IX o 



