CHAPTER X. 



Megapodes and Button-Quails. 



The family of Megapodes or Mound-birds {Mega- 

 podiidee) are always acknowledged to be near rel- 

 atives of the Phasianida, differing chiefly in their 

 long hind-toe and curious habit of burying their 

 eggs, which disclose full-fledged young. Only one 

 species is found in Indian limits. 



The NIcobar Megapode or Mound-bird. 



Megapodius nicohariensis. Faun. Brit. Ind., 

 Birds, Vol. IV, p. 147. 



In general appearance this bird resembles a large 

 dull-brown partridge, with very short tail and huge 

 legs and feet, of which the hind-toe is large and set 

 on at the same level as the other toes, as in a pigeon. 

 The claws of all the toes are long, broad, and nearly 

 straight. The wings, although of blunt and rounded 

 form, are larger than is usual in partridges. The 

 plumage is plain dull brown, redder above and grey- 

 er below, becoming quite grey on the head ; there 

 is none of the marking or pencilling usual in part- 

 ridges. The cock and hen are alike ; young ones 

 have no grey tinge below. The skin round the eyes 

 is bare and red. The bill is yellowish or greenish 

 and the legs horn-colour, becoming reddish at the 

 back ; the eyes are brown. The length is sixteen 



