178 RAMBLES IN THE DESERT 



Australia) in the composition of its nest, the eggs only 

 being enveloped with an inch or two of herbage or grass. 

 But the general breeding habits are alike in both these 

 western species. The eggs are always placed end up- 

 wards, never laid laterally like those of other birds ; and 

 they are embedded firmly in the mass of nest materials. 

 A period of sixty to sixty-five days elapses before the 

 chick is hatched, and both parents assist to unearth it, 

 the chick also burrowing upwards, or outwards, according 

 to its position in the mound ; and it seems to be the 

 noise it makes in its endeavour to escape that notifies to 

 the old birds that it is ready to come forth. A tunnel or 

 burrow is thus made by the passage of the chick to the 

 surface, and in this it continues to live and hide for a 

 considerable time — in fact, until it becomes too large to 

 use the hole conveniently. 



From the moment it is hatched the chick can feed 

 itself, run rapidly, and scratch with vigour. It seems to 

 be fully aware that the nest is no protection to it against 

 the attacks of men and dogs (dingoes), and on the approach 

 of either of these enemies, it quietly skulks away into the 

 densest scrub in the neighbourhood, where neither dogs 

 nor natives seem to be able to track it. 



Observations made on many captive pairs kept in 

 public gardens on the eastern side of the continent do not 

 tally with the above remarks ; and I am convinced that 

 captivity has a marked influence in causing variation in 

 the habits of animals, especially their breeding habits. 

 Captive animals are never in a perfect state of health, as 

 is shown by the fading of the colours if not of the plumage 

 of birds, of the ceres, skin of the legs and feet, combs, 

 wattles, etc., and other signs. However opinions may 

 differ on such points, it is certain that megapodes and 

 brush-turkeys in captivity, even in their native country, 

 do not breed so freely or with the regularity of the wild 

 birds. 



The eggs of these birds are not the least remarkable 

 point in their natural economy. They are simply 

 enormous compared with the size of the bird which 



