36 



Wonders of the Bird World 



in the nests he found the white ants to be very numerous, 

 " thus showing a beautiful provision of nature in preparing 

 the necessary tender food for the young bird in its 

 emergence." A specimen of a nestling of Cuming's Mega- 

 pode (Megapodius cumingi), not only fully fledged, but 

 having perfect wings, and thus able to take care of itself 



A birds-eye view of the mound of Lipoa as seen from above. The sand is supposed to have 

 been so far thrown out as to leave the tops of the eggs exposed, and to show them 

 standing upright in their relative positions. (From a sketch by the late Sir George Grey 

 in Gould's ' Handbook,' ii. 162.) 



in every way, was dug out of a mound in the island of 

 Palawan by Mr. John Whitehead, and one may well ponder 

 over the circumstances which induce the baby Megapodes 

 to remain in the darkness of their mound for many days, 

 perhaps weeks. What do they feed on, and why, having 

 perfect wings to fly with, and strong legs to run with, do 

 they not come out at once from the darkness and roam 



