10 



THE BIRDS OP AXJSTBALIA 



and white feathers down the centre, lighter underneath. Bill, legs an 

 feet dark brown; iris light hazel. Total length 24 inches, wmg i^.o, 

 tail 9, tarsus 3.1. 



Nesting mound and eggs generally situated close to some 

 tree or thick scrub, the same site being used year after year. 

 In making the mound, they first scrape out a slight hollow in the 

 ground, then collect into it leaves, bark, twigs and other matter, 



Mounted. 



Mallee Fowl and Young: Lipoa ocellata. 



D. Le Souef. 



making a small heap. They then make a hollow in the centre, 

 about a foot wide and six inches or more deep, this being the 

 egg chamber. They then scrape a ridge of sand all round the 

 mound, and leave it until rain falls. When all is wet, they 

 spread the sand of the surrounding ridge over the central heap 

 to a depth of from 6 inches to one foot, and leave it until the 

 vegetable matter below becomes heated. The mound is then 

 ready for the eggs. Both birds assist in the construction. The 



