JUNGLE FOWL. 253 



the earth is immediately thrown down lightly until 

 the hole is filled up ; the upper part of the mound 

 is then smoothed and rounded over. It is easily 

 known when a jungle fowl has been recently 

 excavating, from the distinct impressions of its 

 feet on the top and sides of the mound, and the 

 earth being so lightly thrown over, that with a 

 slender stick the direction of the hole is easily 

 detected. The readiness or difficulty with which 

 the stick can be thrust down indicates the length 

 of time that may have elapsed since the bird's 

 operations. 



To reach the eggs requires no little perseverance 

 and exertion. The natives dig them up with their 

 hands alone, and only make sufficient room to 

 admit their bodies, and to throw out the earth 

 between their legs. By working with their fingers 

 alone they are enabled to follow the direction of 

 the hole with greater certainty, which will some- 

 times at -a depth of several feet turn off abruptly 

 at right angles, its direct course being obstructed 

 by some mass of wood or other impediment. 

 Sometimes their exertion is all in vain. In one 

 instance a native dug down six times in succes- 

 sion to a depth of six feet without finding an egg, 



