PLATE 



LVIII. 



GENUS TALEGALLUS (Lesson). 



rilHE only example of this species, another variety of the wonderful mound-raising birds, inhabits the 

 J- eastern parts of Australia. 



TALEGALLUS LATH AMI. 



BRUSH TURKEY. Genus: Talegallus. 



THIS species was originally classed by Latham with the Vulturidcp, and subsequent observations made 

 by others inclined them to the belief that it was allied to that family. Latham, however, before 

 the completion of his " General History of Birds," on becoming further acquainted with its economy, 

 placed the Brush Turkey among the Gallinacce, with the generic distinction Alectufa, and Dr. Gray, in 

 his " Zoological Miscellany," dedicated the species to its first scientific observer as Aleciura Lathami. The 

 present designation, Talegallus (Lesson), was subsequently adopted as the generic name, Alectura having 

 been already used to distinguish a group of Flycatchers. 



In his " Classification of Birds," Swainson replaced the Talegallus Lathami among the Vulturidcs, 

 naming it the Catheturus Australis, but in later years all competent observers seem to agree that the bird 

 does not properly belong to that family. 



The Brush Turkey is found principally in the scrubs on the eastern slopes of the Main Range, 

 and in many parts of the eastern coast lands of Australia ; it has also been found in places on the 

 western spurs of the range. Already in the early days of these colonies, as far back as 1838, representatives 

 of this species which frequented the more open scrubs of Ulawarra and Maitland had suffered severely at 

 the hands of timber-getters and others. In such localities, where it is easily killed, the species is now 

 almost extinct, but in the denser and more northern scrubs it is still common. To-day, in the matted 

 jungle that clothes the eastern coast of North Queensland, this bird (called there the "Scrub Turkey") is 

 hunted and highly prized by the aborigines for food. Under their guidance, in the far northern scrubs, 

 the stray white traveller will find a very novel and entertaining form of sport in its pursuit. 



In its main features, the extraordinary method adopted by the Brush Turkey for the incubation 

 of its eggs resembles that of the Megapode and the Leipoa. The mounds are formed in the same way, 

 the birds raking the soil into a heap by throwing it behind them, for which operation their large, 

 powerful feet are peculiarly adapted. The same nest is used by successive pairs for many seasons. From 

 the large number of eggs found in one nest, it is supposed that in some cases the same mound is used 

 by several pairs of birds. Credible accounts given by settlers and aborigines state that half a bushel of 

 eggs have been taken from one mound. Gould, in his investigations, was informed by the natives that 

 the female bird is constantly in the neighbourhood about the time when the young are likely to appear. 

 She is said to frequently uncover the eggs and cover them up again, apparently on the watch to assist 

 the young birds which may have come out. Other, statements go to show that the young make their 

 way to the surface unassisted. When they first emerge, the little ones are already prepared to look after 

 then- wants ; they are fully clothed with feathers, and able to fly to a safe elevation if attacked ; they 

 can also obtain their own food. 



