MEGAPOI>IID,E. 147 



Suborder PERISTEROPODES. 



The inner posterior notch on each side is less than half the 

 length of the sternum. Hallux, or hind toe, on the same level as 

 the other toes, and its basal phalanx as long as that of the third or 

 middle toe. 



Two families, each sometimes classed as a suborder, are com- 

 prised the Meyapodiidce,, with a nude oil-gland, and the Craddce, 

 which are peculiar to South and Central America, and have a 

 tufted oil-gland like other Grallinae ; only the first requires notice 

 here. 



Family MEGAPODIID^E. 



Besides the nude oil-gland, the most remarkable character of this 

 family is the mode of nidification described below. The young 

 are hatched fully feathered and able to fly almost at once. 



There are several genera inhabiting Australia, New Guinea, 

 Celebes, and the neighbouring islands ; only Meyapodius has a 

 wider range. 



Genus MEGAPODIUS, Qnoy & Gairn., 1824. 



Bill moderate ; nostrils large, oval, longitudinally elongate ; 

 legs and feet large, claws very long and nearly straight, claw of 

 the middle toe as long as the culmen. Wings rounded, the 1st 

 primary equal to the 10th or a little longer ; secondaries as long as 

 primaries. Tail short and rounded, of 12 feathers. 



About fifteen species are known, ranging from the Friendly 

 Islands and Australia to the Philippines and Celebes. One species 

 is found far west of the other members of the genus in the JS T icobar 

 Islands. 



1381. Megapodius nicobariensis. The Nicobar Megapode. 



Megapodius nicobariensis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xv, pp. 52, 372 (1846) ; 



'id. Cat.y. 239; Pelzeln, Novara Reise, Vocj. p. 110, pis. iv, vi, 



fig-. 12 (egpr) ; Sail, J. A. S. B. xxxix, pt. 2, p. 32 ; id. 8. F. i, 



p. 82 ; Hume, S. F. i', p. 313 ; ii, pp. 276, 499 ; id. Cat. no. 803 oct. ; 



Hume fy Marsh. Game B. i, p. 119, pi, ; iii, p. 428, pi. ii (eg#); 



Oates in Hume's N. 8f E. 2nd ed. iii, p. 449 ; Ogilvie Grant, Cat. 



B. M. xxii, p. 447. 

 Megapodius trinkntensis, Sharpe, A. M. N. H. (4) xiii. p. 448 : 



Walden, A. M. A 7 . H. (4) xiv, p. 163. 



Coloration. Sides of the crown behind the eyes, sides of head 

 behind ears, and the nape ashy grey ; upper parts, including wings 

 and tail, rufescent brown with an olive tinge ; chin and throat pale 

 grey, remainder of lower parts greyish brown. 



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