MEGAPODIUS. 229 



a thicker shell. The plumage of the Crested 

 Curassow is of a deep glossy black, but the lower 

 belly is white ; the naked skin of the face and the 

 cere are bright yellow. The curled tips of the 

 crown-feathers, look like a great number of little 

 velvety globules. 



FAMILY II. MEGAPODID^:. 



The present Family, scattered over the conti- 

 nent of Australia, and the easternmost islands of 

 the great Indian Archipelago, even to the Philip- 

 pines, is peculiarly interesting because of its very 

 remarkable domestic economy recently investi- 

 gated by Mr. Gould. The cfetails, in one species, 

 we shall presently describe. 



The beak is vaulted, somewhat compressed ; 

 the wings are short and rounded ; the tail is short, 

 varying in the number of its feathers from twelve 

 to eighteen ; the feet are of disproportionate size 

 and strength ; the tarsi being stout, elevated, and 

 strongly scaled ; the toes long and robust, and 

 armed with strong, flat, rasorial claws. 



The flesh of these singular birds is white, and 

 highly esteemed for its tenderness and flavour. 

 The eggs are of enormous size as compared with 

 those of other birds. 



GENUS MEGAPODIUS. (LESS.) 



The beak of the Megapodes is slender, nearly 

 straight, and somewhat like that of a fowl ; the 

 nostrils placed at the end of a groove reaching 

 beyond the middle, the groove covered with a 



