T. P. Bellclicimbers—The Mallee Fowl of Australia 21


these wilds I early disproved the statement (found in some of our

leading works on Australian birds) that the wing is used to sweep the

material together for the mound. This is never the case, the feet alone

being used.


Much of my work had to be done over and over again, but slowly

the life-history of this bird was unravelled. It is monogamic, and

apparently mates for life. The construction and maintenance of

mounds, chiefly performed by the male, entail a labour of about nine

months’ duration. The birds choose a site that will be exposed to the

sun’s rays during the heat of the day, preferring a slope that faces the

sun. A pit is dug about 12 inches deep, the soil being banked around the

edge, and the measurement from bank to bank being from 7 to 9 feet.

The thick accumulation of debris (fallen leaves, bark, etc.) is then raked

from under the Mallee into the more open ways that lead to the pit.

By preference this is taken from the higher side of the pit, it being much

easier for the birds to rake it downwards than up the slope. When the

required material has all been raked into the clear open runs that lead

to the pit, the male, starting nearest to the pit, but facing outwards,

proceeds with a sweeping throwing motion of the foot to pass the

material behind him, a few strokes with each foot, then he moves

forward, keeping this up until he reaches the end of the row. Then

retracing his steps to the pit, he proceeds as before, keeping this going

at frequent intervals until the whole of the material is heaped high

in the pit, which is left awaiting the rains, and beyond occasional

stirrings of the surface there is not much done for a time. Then, as

spring approaches, the desiccation of the surface and core commences.

This work lasts a considerable time. We will suppose spring is here

and the hour is 9.30 a.m. The male appears, proud and dignified of

mien, the female sedately following, always, at this time of laying,

uttering at very frequent and regular intervals a low, soothing and

pleasing note, to which the male occasionally responds in a deeper

tone. Proceeding to the top of the mound, the birds, relieving each

other at intervals, make an excavation reaching into the loose core or

e gg-chamber, terminating the excavation in a small cup-like hole.

Placed against its solid wall, the female, with legs straddling across this

small hole, head down along her breast and facing the wall, presses



