MErrAPODIN^. 
the  female  has  deposited  an  egg,  which  is  effected  in  the  night  at  intervals  of  several  days,  and  is  placed  perpendicularly 
in  a hole  near  the  middle  of  the  mound  to  the  depth  of  several  feet,  she  scatters  a quantity  of  sand  in  the  hole  until  the 
cavity  IS  filled  up.  The  young  are  supposed  by  some  to  effect  their  escape  from  the  mound  unaided ; while  on  the  other 
hand,  it  has  been  considered  that  the  parent  birds,  knowing  when  the  young  are  ready  to  emerge  from  their  confinement, 
scratch  down  and  release  them. 
1.  M.  Reinwardtii  Wagl.  Syst.  Av.  — Megapodius  Duperryii 
Less.  Voy.  de  la  Coqu.  Ois.  t.  36.,  Tr.  d’Orn.  t.  87.  f.  1.,  Less. 
Compl.  Buff.  Ois.  t.  42.  f.  1. 
2.  M.  Freycineti  Quoy  & Gaira.  Voy.  de  I’Uranie,  Ois  t.  32., 
PI.  col.  220.,  Less.  Compl.  Buff.  Ois.  t.  42.  f.  2. 
3.  M.  ruhripes  Temm.  PI.  col.  411.,  Less.  Compl.  Buff.  Ois.  t. 
43.  f.  . — Alecthelia  d’Urvillei  Less.  Voy.  de  la  Coqu.  Ois.  t. 
37.,  Less.  Compl.  Buff.  Ois.  t.  44.  f. 
4.  M.  La  Perousii  Quoy  & Gaim.  Voy.  de  I’Uranie,  Ois.  t. 
33.,  Less.  Compl.  Buff.  Ois.  t.  43.  f.  . 
5.  M.  tumulus  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1842.  p.  20.,  B.  of  Austr. 
pi. 
6.  M.  nicohariensis  Blytli,  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Beng.  1846.  p, 
7.  M.  Forsteni  Temm. 
Leipoa  Gould."^ 
Bill  moderate,  weak,  and  straight,  with  the  culmen  depressed  at  the  base,  and  vaulted  at  the  apical 
half,  with  the  tip  overlapping  that  of  the  lower  mandible  ; the  sides  compressed ; the  gonys  moderate  and' 
curved  upwards  ; the  nostrils  lateral,  and  placed  in  a short  membranous  groove,  with  the  opening  oblique 
and  exposed.  Wings  ample  and  rounded.  Tail  long,  broad,  and  rounded.  Tarsi  strong,  as  long 
as  the  middle  toe,  and  covered  in  front  with  broad,  transverse,  divided  scales.  Toes  strong,  moderate ; the 
lateral  toes  equal ; the  inner  united  at  the  base  by  a membrane  ; the  hind  toe  short,  and  on  the  same 
plane  with  the  others ; the  claws  lengthened,  strong,  flattened,  and  rather  acute. 
The  type  of  this  genus  is  found  in  the  South-Western  portions  of  Australia.  It  seems  to  prefer  the  sandy  plains, 
though  it  is  sometimes  seen  in  the  valleys  on  the  border  of  rivers,  and  in  open  glades  of  the  shrubby  woods.  It  is  gene- 
rally observed  hunting  the  ground  for  the  seeds  and  berries  which  constitute  its  chief  food,  and  is  rarely  seen  on  trees 
except  when  alarmed.  It  is  said  to  utter  a mournful  note  very  like  that  of  a pigeon.  'Wlien  the  two  sexes  have  selected 
a place  for  incubation,  they  commence  collecting  the  dried  leaves,  grasses,  and  boughs,  among  which  the  female  deposits 
twelve  or  more  eggs  perfectly  separated  from  each  other  by  the  vegetable  matter  or  earth,  and  covers  them  up  as  soon 
as  laid.  When  the  proper  number  is  placed,  the  whole  heap  is  entirely  concealed  by  both  birds  scratching  up  the  sand 
that  lies  around  it,  thus  forming  a mound  of  about  nine  feet  in  diameter,  and  three  feet  in  height ; the  eggs  arrive  at 
their  maturity  by  tlie  heat  produced  by  the  decayed  vegetable  matter  and  the  sun. 
L.  ocellata  Gould,  Proc.  Z.  S.  1840.  p.  126.,  B,  of  Austr.  pi. 
Mesites  I.  Geoffr.f 
Bill  moderate,  nearly  straight,  with  the  sides  compressed,  and  the  tip  entire  ; the  gonys  angulated  ; and 
the  nostrils  placed  in  a membranous  groove,  with  the  opening  linear.  Wings  very  short,  and  rounded  ; 
with  the  fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh  quills  equal  and  longest.  Tail  long  and  broad ; with  the  outer  feathers 
* Mr.  Gould  established  this  genus  in  1840  {Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  1840,  p.  126.). 
t Established  by  M,  Isidore  Geoffrey  in  1839. 
