Order  V.  GALLIN.E, 
The  second  Family, 
MEGAPODIDiE,  or  Megapodes, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  robust,  with  the  apical  portion  vaulted,  and  the  tip  rather  obtuse ;  the 
Wings  moderate  and  much  rounded  ;  the  Tarsi  long,  robust,  and  usually  covered  with  large  scales  ;  the 
Toes  lengthened,  strong,  and  covered  above  with  strong  scales ;  the  hind  toe  long,  and  entirely  resting 
on  the  ground ;  the  claws  long,  robust,  and  slightly  curved. 
The  first  Subfamily, 
TALEGALLIN/E,  or  Talegalles, 
have  the  Bill  moderate  and  robust,  with  the  culmen  elevated  at  the  base,  and  curved  towards  the  tip, 
which  is  obtuse ;  the  sides  compressed  ;  the  lateral  margins  curved  ;  and  the  gonys  moderate,  and 
slightly  ascending. 
Talegallus  Less.* 
Bill  robust,  with  the  culmen  elevated  at  the  base,  much  curved,  and  the  sides  compressed  to  the  tip ; 
the  lateral  margins  curved,  and  the  gonys  long  and  ascending ;  the  nostrils  basal  and  lateral,  with  the 
opening  large,  exposed,  and  pierced  in  the  membranous  groove.  Wings  moderate  and  roundecj,  with 
the  fifth  and  sixth  quills  equal  and  longest.  Tail  lengthened,  vaulted,  emarginated  in  the  middle,  and 
rounded  on  the  sides.  Tarsi  very  robust,  rather  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  feathered  below  the  knee, 
the  front  covered  with  large  divided  scales.  Toes  long  and  robust,  with  the  lateral  ones  nearly  equal ; 
and  the  outer  one  united  by  a  membrane  at  the  base  ;  claws  long,  robust,  slightly  curved,  and  slightly 
acute  at  the  ends.    The  head  and  neck  almost  denuded  of  plumes. 
These  birds  are  found  in  the  dense  brushes,  scrubby  gullies,  and  primeval  forests  of  Australia  and  New  Guinea. 
They  are  observed  in  small  flocks  on  the  ground,  but  they  are  shy  and  fearful,  which  causes  them,  when  disturbed,  to 
endeavour  to  escape  by  running  among  the  thick  brush,  or  by  flying  on  to  the  lower  branches  of  the  trees,  and  then 
ascending  to  the  top,  which  they  attain  by  leaping  from  branch  to  branch ;  and,  having  ascended,  they  then  sometimes 
fly  off  to  a  fresh  locality  of  the  brush.  During  the  midday  sun,  they  usually  seek  the  shady  branches  of  the  trees  for 
shelter  from  the  heat,  often  uttering  a  loud  clucking  noise.  They  also  dust  themselves  on  the  ground  in  the  manner 
of  other  gallinaceous  birds,  and  like  them  their  food  consists  of  seeds,  berries,  and  insects.  The  Australian  species 
forms  a  remarkable  heap  of  decayed  vegetable  matter  in  a  retired  and  shady  place.    The  vegetables  which  compose  this 
*  Established  by  M.  Lesson  in  1 826  ( Voy.  de  la  Coqu.  Zool.  p.  715.),  which  in  1828  he  altered  to  Talegalla.  Catheturus  of  Mr. 
Swainson  (1837)  is  coequal. 
