112 MEGAPODIUS.— HEMIPODII. 



almost from birth. Limited geographically to Australia, New Guinea, and certain 

 of the adjacent islands. One species (M. nicdbariensis), which is found far to the 

 west in the Nicobar Islands, may, however, have been imported. Twenty-six 

 species are known grouped in two subfamilies, viz. — 



Subfamily TalegalliNjE. Talegallas, 

 which includes the following genera : — 



Tallegallus. The Brush-Turkeys. Four species fi-om New Guinea, birds varying from 20" 

 to 23" in length, with tail of sixteen feathers, no wattle, and a crest of narrow hair-like feathers. 



Catheturus. One species (C. lathami). The Australian Wattled Brush-Turkey. 25" to 26" 

 long, with tail of eighteen feathers, and a large wattle at the base of the neck. 



jEpypodius. Two species of Papuan Wattled Brush -Turkeys. 17" to 19" in length, with 

 tail of sixteen feathers, and a pendulous wattle at the base of the foreneck, and an elevated 

 fleshy crest extending from the base of the bill to the crown. 



Megacephalon. The Maleo. 22" long. From Celebes. With tail of eighteen feathers, a 

 large gourd-shaped helmet, and a rounded tubercle behind each nostril. (O.G. ii. 188-200.) 



Subfamily Megapodin^e. 



Large strong feet, placed far back. Tail of twelve and sixteen feathers. Sexes 

 alike. Jerdon thought that the Lyre Bird of Australia {Menura superba) was 

 more nearly allied to the Megapodes than to the "Wrens and Warblers. 



Genus MEGAPODIUS. 



/t^7as=great ; 5ro0s=afoot. 



Dull green plumage. Long hind toe. Claws long and straight. Tail of twelve 

 feathers. First primary equal to or shorter than tenth (fifth longest). Secondaries 

 as long as the primaries. Fore part of legs covered by a single row of large scales. 

 From the Friendly Islands and Australia to the Philippines and Celebes. 



82. Megapodius nicobariensis. The Nicobab Megafode. 

 (J 14 J" to 17"; IJ to 2| lbs. Legs dark horny. Bill greenish. Orbits brick- 

 red. Crown pale olive, grey behind ears. Above olive-brown, below grey-brown. 

 Breast tinged grey. — Young snuff-brown, with tail-like bunch of fur (Stray 

 Feathers, ii. 276). Eggs (3-25 x 2-07) pink. 



Also fifteen other species of T^rue Megapodes, varying from 9J" to 17" in length. 



Also Eulipoa. The Painted Megapode, with secondary quills much shorter than the 

 primaries. 14" long, with tail of twelve feathers. 



Also Lipoa. One species (L. ocellata) of Ocellated Megapode (the Australian Pheasant). 

 24" long, with tail of sixteen feathers. 



Order HEMIPODII. 



Single notch of breast-bone about two-thirds length of entire breast-bone. 

 Fifth secondary quiU present. 



No hind toe . . . Turnix . . Bustard and Button Quails. 



Rudimentary hind toe . Pbdionomus* . Plain Wanderers. 



* Not represented in India. 



