140 



BE LLC H AMBERS— Notes on the Mallee Fowl. 



male. I have seen the female in the act of laying. The sketch 

 (Fig. 6) shows the most peculiar position she takes up to place 

 the egg in the hole prepared for its reception. I was enabled 

 to ascertain definitely the period of incubation by numbering 

 each egg as laid and entering number and date in my note 

 book. As each chick appeared I opened the mound to see 

 which number was gone. I also kept a plan showing position 

 of each egg. 



By getting these birds to breed in captivity I have been 

 able to bring to a satisfactory conclusion a study that has 

 already occupied many years and cost much patient labour. 

 Since 1907 I have examined about 31 mounds, and in every 

 instance found only one pair of birds at work. 



Mallee Fowl food. — Seed of Acacia stenophylla, A. rigeus, 

 and a new variety of Acacia. Identified by Mr. J. M. Black. 



Table showing period of incubation, &c, of Leipoa in captivity 

 by T. P. Bellchambers, 1914. 



Period of In- 



No. 



of Egg 



Date Laid 



Date Hatched incubation in days 



1 



Aug. 19 \ 







2 



Aug. 26 J 







3 



Aug. 31 i 



failed to hatch 





4 



Sept. 2 







5 



Sept. 11 / 







6 



Sept. 17 



Dec. 3 



77 



7 



Sept. 23 



Dec. 1 



69 



8 



Sept. 28 



Dec. 2 



65 



9 



Oct. 6 



Dec. 8 



63 



10 



Oct. 11 



Dec. 8 



58 



11 



Oct. 18 



Dec. 15 



58 



12 



Oct. 21 



Dec. 15 



55 



13 



Oct. 25 



Dec. 25 



61 



14 



Oct. 30 



Jan. 1 



63 



15 



Nov. 4 ") 



removed from 





16 



Nov. 11 > 



mound 





17 



not noted ' 







18 



Nov. 19 



failed to hatch 



19 



Nov. 24 



Jan. 24 



61 



20 



Nov. 29 



Feb. 3 



66 



21 



Dec. 5 } 



failed to hatch 





22 



Dec. 12 ! 







