282 MEGAPODES. 



especially in the position of the hind toe, which is placed on the 

 same level as the anterior ones ; so that, in walking-, its whole 

 lower surface is applied to the ground. 



The habits of these birds are most singular. They deposit their 

 eggs in a heap of sand or an accumulation of dead leaves, and 

 trust to the heat of the sun, assisted, in the latter case, by the 

 warmth produced by the decay of vegetable matter, to maintain 

 the temperature necessary for the maturation of the young. The 

 eggs are of enormous size, those of the common megapode exceed- 

 ing in bulk the eggs of the swan. The eggs of the talegalla are 

 smooth and white, about the size of those of the pelican. Those 

 of leipoa and megapodius are covered with a sort of epidermis, or 

 sandy-coloured chalky layer, which is readily removed from the 

 true shell beneath. With respect to the size of these eggs, the 

 intent is evident : they are destined to imprison and afford food 

 to the young chick, till it has grown to a comparatively large size. 

 The young bird possesses great strength, and when it breaks the 

 strong shell, it emerges completely clad, and works its way through 

 the substance of the mound in which the &^^ was buried. 



This family consists of the Talegallas or Brush Turkeys, and 

 the Mound-Birds. 



Snb-Faviily T. 



THE TALEGALLAS. TALEGALLIN^'!.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill moderate and robust, with the culmcn elevated at 

 tlie base and curved towards the tip, which is obtuse, the sides compressed, the 

 lateral margins curved, and the gonys moderate and slightly ascending. 



« 



These birds are found in the dense brushes, scrubby gullies, and 

 primeval forests of Australia and New Guinea, where they are met 

 with in small flocks on the ground ; they are shy and fearful, and 

 when disturbed, endeavour to escape by running into the thick 

 "brush," or by flying on to the branches of trees, and then ascend- 

 ing to the top, which they gain by leaping from bough to bough; 

 and, having attained the summit, sometimes flyofi"to a new locality 

 in the underwood. During the midday sun they generally seek 

 the shady branches of trees for shelter from the heat, often uttering 

 a low clucking noise. They also dust themselves on the ground, 

 after the manner of other Gallinaceous birds. Their food consists 



