PLATE 



FAMILY M EGA PO D I DM. 



JN Australia, three species are found to represent this curious family. While offering some points of 

 -L resemblance to the Gallinacce, the Megapodidce differ widely from them in others ; the shape and 

 colour of their eggs and their peculiar manner of incubating bear some resemblance to the Tortoises and 

 Turtles. Other species inhabit New Guinea and the adjacent islands, being found as far north as the 

 Philippines. 



GENUS MEGAPODIUS. 



T> EPRESEXTATIVES of this most interesting genus are to be found in the Philippine and Indian 

 Islands; one species only is found in Australia. 



MEGAPODIUS TUMULUS (Gould}. 



A USTRALIAN MEGAPODE. Genus : Megapodius. 



IjlVEN the most casual observer of natural phenomena cannot fail to be deeply interested in seeing a 

 * ^ portrait of the Megapode, and reading a description of the extraordinary process of incubation 

 pursued by this anomaly among birds. The two following plates also are no less interesting as 

 representing the Leipoa and the Talegallus — Australian representatives of allied genera which have departed 

 in such a curious way from the time-honoured and almost universal manner of nesting. 



The fullest account of the habits of the Megapode is found in Gilbert's notes, which show 

 patient and exhaustive enquiry. 



These investigations were carried on at Port Essino-ton, Mr. Gilbert's attention having; been 

 drawn to a number of huge mounds of earth which, he was assured by the aborigines, were formed 

 by the Megapode for incubating its eggs. No one had hitherto examined these heaps, and Mr. Gilbert 

 set to work (with the aid of the blacks) to decide the question of their origin. Landing in a secluded 

 part, under the guidance of an intelligent black, he soon found a tumulus, which his guide informed 

 him was a nest of the Megapode. It stood only a few feet above high- water mark, being five feet 

 high, conical, with a circumference at the base of twenty feet, and was formed of sand and shells. On 

 scrambling to the top, his delight was great to find a young bird in a hole about two feet deep. 

 The young one was taken, Mr. Gilbert still remaining in doubt as to the real origin of the heaps. 

 The native would not search for eggs here, as, he said, the old birds had not lately been about, and 

 it seemed impossible that the young should make their way to the surface from so great a depth. 

 The young captive proved untamable, and unfortunately escaped on the third da}'. During its 

 imprisonment it spent nearly all its time standing on one leg, while with the other foot it took the 

 sand which had been placed in the box and threw it to the other end, actually grasping it, as it 

 were, in handfuls. This occupation seemed the natural outcome of its perpetual restlessness. 



