BIRDS OF THE SPICE ISLANDS. 87 



decaying matter of which the mound is made, and 

 this is sufficient to hatch the eggs. When the 

 little ones come out of their shell, they work 

 their way out of their prison, and run off to the 

 forest. The natives have a great fancy for the 

 eggs of the mound-making bird, and are always on 

 the watch to rob the nest. They know by certain 

 signs whether the mound is full or empty. If it 

 is full, they break in and steal its contents. 



