on the Australian Brush-Turkey. 161


ing widely from those of all other birds, have been transmitted

unaltered to these descendants inhabiting certain islands of the

Malay Archipelago, of the South Pacific, and parts of the

continent of Australia.


The Australian Brush-Turkey, Catheturus iathami, is the

best known of this family in European collections, as a living

bird. It seems to be hardy, and easily kept. A newly-imported

pair came into my possession in January, 1903, in good health

but of course travel-stained, and in broken feather. They

rapidly improved during the next three months, in an unwarmed

shed, supplied with a variety of seeds, grains and nuts, and well

bedded down with dry leaves and sand. On April 25th, I turned

them out into a large enclosure. In the afternoon of the follow¬

ing day I found the male excavating a sort of trench on a bank

under some large Scotch firs, a yard long, a foot wide, and some

ten or twelve inches deep. I watched him for some time, and

thought that he was hunting for insects and worms; but, by the

next day, he had collected a heap, three or four large barrow loads,

of dead leaves, and debris, on the spot where the trench had been.

He was quite tame, and went on scraping at a few yards distance,

merely leaving off to chase away any other bird that came too

near, and returning to his task. This went on without inter¬

mission for some three weeks, in all weathers. On a wet day

the poor bird presented a pitiably draggled appearance, as his

heavy tail got much in his way, as he kicked the soaked rubbish

up the slopes of the rapidly accumulating mound. The energy

displayed was remarkable, especially when taking into con¬

sideration that the bird had been confined in a small shed, after

a long voyage; and for many months had had no opportunity

for exercise.


I soon had to enclose the mound and the two birds within

some wire-netting, for the male became very aggressive, fiercely

chasing off other birds, even male Capercailzies. Indeed I more

than once saved one of these from an ignominious defeat. The

Brush-Turkey used to chase a Capercailzie, and easily overtook it.

He then used to give a tremendous thump with his heavy foot,

making the feathers fly from the back of the fugitive; and

evidently this form of attack proved very demoralising to the



