680 
Birds of Celebes: Megapodidae. 
and powerful not more than two or 
Sarasin). The young are capable of flying 
rectrices not yet developed; remiges large 
three days old, Kema, 12. JJov. 93: P.&F. 
on leaving the egg. 
Measurements. Wing 308 mm; tail 175; tarsus 84, mid. toe with claw 70; bill from nostril ^8 
Skeleton (from Oustalct XXV). 
Length of humerus .... 83 mm 
Length of ulna 94 » 
Length of metacarpus ... 49 » 
Length of digitus principalis. 30 » 
Length of pelvis 104 » 
Length of femur 87 » 
Length of tibia 128 » 
Length of metatarsus ... 83 » 
Length of cranium .... 
100 
mm 
Greatest breadth of cranium. 
25 
» 
Length of sternum .... 
95 
» 
Breadtli of sternum (middle) . 
50 
» 
Height of crista sterni. . 
37 
Length of coracoideum. . . 
64 
» 
Lengtli of clavicula .... 
61 
» 
Length of scapula .... 
81 
Eggs. Dr. Platen sent me numerous eggs from the Mnahassa and confirms what has been 
long known about the breeding -habits of the Megapodes. The eggs measure 100— 
flesh-colour, with darker clouds over the whole surface” 
(JSlehrkorn MS.). 
Remark. The unusually lengthy form of this and of other Megapodes’ eggs appears to he 
a condition necessary to the great development of the remiges of the chick before 
leaving the egg. 
Nest. A hole scratched three or fom- feet deep in the black volcanic sand of the sea-shore 
aftenvards covered in with about one, two, three or more feet of sand (Wallace d 4 
Gruillemard 28); or, in the forests, in pit dug close to a hot-spring (P.& F. Sarasin 
— see also below). 
Distribution. North Celebes: — Minahassa (Reinwardt a 5, Quoy & Gaimard b I Wall. 
6, etc.); Cape Flesko (P. & F. Sarasin 37, 38); Gorontalo Distr. — Bone Yalley 
^.Rosenberg 21, P.&F. Sarasin 37,38); Bolontio (Meyer); Lembeh Id. fNat. 
Coll.); Paguatt (v. Rosenberg 24). Said to occur on Banka (Meyer); Sangi. i) 
The Moleo, which is known only from the Northern Peninsula of Celebes 
and some of the small islands in the north, is one of the most interesting and 
characteristic types of the country. It is the sole representative of the genus 
Megacqihalon, distinguishing itself from the other Megapode genera by the large 
occipital casque and the two smaller knobs behind the nostrils with which the 
naked head of the bird is furnished; its tarsus, also, is reticulated in front for 
the upper two-thirds with small scales, and the feet are webbed at the base 
almost up to the first joint of the toes. The light under surface, which is 
richly tinted with salmon-colour in life - a colour which soon fades in skins 
— IS also peculiar to the Moleo among the Megapodes. The forms with which 
It seems to have most affinity are Talegallm and Aepgpodius, both of New Guinea 
and some of the islands to the west. The typical Megapodes of the genus 
Megapodius differ by their short tail of 12 feathers (in Megacephalon 18), their 
m U I 'V’ Hickson’s (3-2) statements, that the Moleo ooonrs on the Sangi Islands, is due 
to tho tact which has been ascertained on our suggestion by the Resident Jellesma of Manado, that birds 
tr 1 ^*i TD ^ ^ Rajah years ago and multiplied rapidly in consequence of its being unlawful 
are*fr*d o'?; “'^“’^er has gradually decreased and now hardly any 
