16 



hands in which their economic value will not be lost sight 

 of, as they justly believe that much credit will be acquired 

 by the Society if the acclimatation of this noble species is 

 permanently effected. 



2. Australian Brush Turkey, Talegalla Lathami. 



The pair of Australian Brush Turkeys received in 1849 

 and 1850, having exhibited a desire to breed, were placed 

 in the summer of last year in an enclosure provisionally 

 adapted for them, where they had access to abundant ma- 

 tei'ials for making a mound. 



They commenced their work immediately, and between 

 the 16th of May and the 2 1st of June, ten eggs were de- 

 posited in it. 



The first egg was completely hatched out on the evening 

 of July 18. 



Four other eggs came to maturity at subsequent periods, 

 but from some unknown cause, three of these young birds 

 died soon after exclusion from the egg, and before they left 

 the mound. 



The fourth bird, equally strong and promising as the 

 first, met with an accidental death at about a fortnight old. 



The first bird escaped all casualties, and is now as large 

 as its parents. 



Being unfortunately a male, there is no immediate pro- 

 spect of its adding to the present number ; but the parent 

 birds are still in perfect health, and exhibit every promise 

 of continuing the interesting experiment of last year, with, 

 it is to be hoped, a more extended success. 



Should this prove to be the case, the singular and im- 

 portant fact of the required temperature for hatching being 

 attainable in this climate, having been satisfactorily demon- 

 strated, there is little room to doubt that this bird may be 

 ultimately established in this country ; if not wild, at all 

 events in a semi-domesticated and artificial state. 



The flesh of the Talegalla is stated by Mr. Gould to be 

 of admirable quality, and it is evident from the number of 

 eggs deposited last year, that their rate of increase is at 

 least equal to that of ordinary game birds. 



The experiment which is this season to be repeated with 

 the Talegallas, will also be tried with the pair of Leipoas 

 obtained last year, and there is some probability that the 

 attention which will be given to the slightly different con- 

 ditions required by this species will be as successful as 

 in the former case. 



