294 Mr. A. E. L. Berteing,



ON THE HATCHING AND REARING OF THE


BRUSH TURKEYS AT THE ZOO*


By A. E. E. Bertling.


(.Head Keeper of the Zoological Society's Gardens.')


In concluding my notes on the Brush Turkey (Talegalla

lathami ) I am glad to say we have now four young birds which

are thriving well.


Being somewhat doubtful as to the issue of the cock’s

parental diligence, quite six weeks having elapsed since the

hens started laying, I decided to open the mound and see how

matters stood. Working the material away at one side we got

towards the centre and there discovered three eggs, which

lay about a foot away from each other and eighteen inches

below the top of the mound. They were placed in an upright

position, the larger end being uppermost, and it is quite evident

they are not turned as in the case of those laid by other birds;

for we could plainly see that a deep narrow hole had been

excavated by the hen, in which the egg had been dropped in an

upright position, and that the lower part of the egg did not touch

the bottom of the hole, as it was quite white, whilst the upper

half was soiled and stained, where the material had been

stamped oil to it.


After a few more moments search we were delighted, and

not a little astonished, at coming across a pretty chick, who

winked and blinked on having the bright sunshine suddenly

turned on to it. It was of mouse colour, inclining to yellow on

the head and underparts, whilst the red skin on the head and

upper portion of the neck was distinctly visible through the

scanty covering of bristly down, and at the sides of the face the

hair was so thin as to almost appear bare, the ears being plainly

visible.


The flights, in this chick, were nearly three inches long,

and, as the bird could fly fairly well, I have come to the con¬

clusion that the young remain at least thirty-six hours, if not



For an account of the construction of the nest and laying of the eggs, see page 217.



