PHOTOGRAVURE 34 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE CEYLON JUNGLEFOWL 



The nest is usually placed on the ground at the foot of a tree, and only the leaves and grass already 

 present are used as lining. The hen sits very closely, and deserts her eggs only when danger is actually 

 upon her. Her colours harmonize perfectly with the hues of the dry vegetation, but the eggs, when 

 exposed, are conspicuous. Five or six is the usual number, and they are as small as the eggs of bantams, 

 and sometimes slightly spotted. 



A native Vedda, one of the aboriginal Cinghalese, was skilful in tracking down the birds and their 

 nests, and found one of my first nests, which the chicks had just left. 



