440 



GAME-BIRDS. 



deposited in a circle at the distance of 9 or 12 inches from each other, and buried 

 more than an arm's-depth with the large end upwards." 



Another genus (jEpypodius) from New Guinea and Waigiou, is characterised 

 by a fleshy crest running from the base of the bill to the crown, a pendulous wattle 

 at the base of the fore-neck, and the chestnut upper tail-coverts. 



The last genus of the family contains only the maleo (Mega- 

 cephalum maleo), of North Celebes and the Sanghir Islands, which is 

 the most remarkable of the group, both in its structure and habits. In both sexes 



Maleo. 



CELEBEAN MALEO (i nat. size). 



the head is naked, the crown being covered with a large black casque ; while the 

 plumage of the upper-parts, chest, flanks, thighs, and under tail-Coverts is dark 

 brown, and that of the breast and belly beautiful salmon-pink. These birds do 

 not raise mounds in which to lay their eggs, but deposit the latter in holes dug in 

 the sand. Mr. Wallace describes one of their laying-grounds as follows : " The 

 place is situated in the large bay between the islands of Limbe and Banca, and 

 consists of a steep beach more than a mile in length of deep, loose, and coarse black 

 volcanic sand, or rather gravel- very fatiguing to walk over ... It is in this 

 loose, hot, black sand, that those singular birds the 'maleos,' deposit their eggs. 

 In the months of August and September when there is little or no rain, they come 

 down in pairs from the interior to this, or to one or two other favourite spots, and 



