MOUND-BUILDING BIRDS 
39 
over) and added to each breeding-season. The eggs are deposited on 
end (the larger end uppermost) in holes about 18 inches to 2 feet deep, 
and are then covered over. The young are fully feathered when hatched, 
and fight their way out of the mound unassisted. 
Eggs. — White when first deposited in the mound, soon becoming 
soiled and stained. The clutch varies from seven to twelve, but as many 
as thirty or more have been taken from a mound, such a number being 
the result of two or three birds laying in the same mound. Breeding- 
season : September to January, and sometimes as late as March. 
4. Mallee Fowl Leipoa ocellata Gould 
Leip-o-a — Gk, leipein, to leave; Gk, oon (plural oa ), egg: o-cell-a-ta — L., 
ocellatus , marked with little eyes. 
Distribution. — Southern Australia and the inland portions of New 
South Wales, north-western Victoria, South Australia to south-western 
Australia. 
Notes. — Also called Lowan, Gnow, Mallee Hen, Pheasant, and Native 
Pheasant. Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting the dry inland scrubs 
(the mallee country chiefly). Owing to its shy disposition and wary 
nature, it is seldom seen. Its flesh is much sought after as an article of 
food, and although protected, it is frequently shot. The food of this 
species consists chiefly of berries, seeds, and insects and their larvse. 
This valuable and interesting bird is in grave danger of extermination, 
because of the depredations of the introduced fox. 
Nest . — A large mound of leaves and grass covered with gravel, sand, 
and debris, and raised into a pyramidal heap. An opening is made in the 
fermenting material into which the eggs are deposited in the form of a 
circle; a full clutch generally consists of three layers. Nesting- mounds 
are usually constructed in situations exposed to the sunshine. 
Eggs. — The number of eggs varies from six to twelve, probably two 
birds lay in the same mound. When fresh they are a delicate pink, but 
soon become soiled and stained a dull reddish-brown. Breeding-season: 
September to February or March. 
5. Scrub Fowl Megapodius reinwardt Dumont 
Meg-a-pod'-ius — Gk, me gas , large; Gk, pus (pous), podos , foot: rein- 
wardt — Reinwardt, Dutch collector in the East Indies. 
Distribution. — Northern Australia, from Kimberley (north-western 
Australia), to Yeppoon (Queensland) ; also found from Lombok to New 
Guinea. 
Notes. — Also called Scrub Hen and Jungle Fowl. Usually in pairs 
or small parties, frequenting the scrubs of the coastal districts. It is 
cautious in habits and, when disturbed, it will either run, or fly clumsily 
and settle on the lower branch of a tree. It has a peculiarly harsh and 
loud cry, uttered at break of day, and often during the night while at 
roost. Food : native fruits, berries, seeds, and the young shoots of many 
kinds of trees and shrubs. 
