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In the talegalla we seem to approach the reptilian character, 
not only in the form and general appearance of the eggs, but in 
the manner in which they are deposited and the absence of care 
bestowed upon the young. I believe, with this exception, all 
birds feed or provide for their young ; while, on the other hand, 
I am not aware any reptile is known to do so, and that all the 
reptiles that lay eggs leave them to hatch, and the young to 
provide for themselves—their young, as in the talegalla, coming 
forth in a very perfect and well-developed condition, and being 
enabled to seek and obtain their food without the aid of the 
parents. It is for this reason, as I have before remarked, 
the family megapodidre are placed in the lowest form of birds. 
I regret to hear, by my last letters from England, from the 
Secretary of the Zoological Society, and Mr. Alfred Denison, 
that the only male bird in the possession of the Society is dead, 
and all survivors are females. This is more to he regretted, as 
they had commenced with success to acclimatise them iu England. 
Those gentlemen have requested me to endeavour to procure 
them some young males. Now, had we an Acclimatisation 
Society established in Sydney, we could readily supply them, 
receiving in exchange mandarin ducks or Himalayan pheasants. 
There is an anecdote related connected with this bird which 
may he quoted as illustrative of the theoretic study of natural 
history not supported by reference to the living hook of nature. 
“ Because the talegalla had a hare head and rather straight claws, 
was black in colour, with some brilliant skin about the region of 
the neck, he was pronounced to be an excellent vulture by a 
theorist who lacked a type to fill a vacancy in some triangular, 
circular, or oval scheme, in which he had firmly convinced 
himself all nature and every group could be thrust. Now, the 
bare head of the talegalla is convenient for plunging into the 
decayed leaves of the mounds; the bristly hairs which protect it 
throw off all impurity and moisture much better than feathers 
would do; and the strong, straight claws and gigantic feet are 
not intended to deal with carrion, but are most exquisitely 
adapted for picking up the grass, leaves, and earth, which he has 
to throw from long distances to the central mound. The mystery, 
which is so simply resolved by observation, could never have 
been divined in a gallery of skins. 
Another remarkable bird, native of New South Wales, is the 
vnenura superba, tc lyre bird or pheasant of the colonists.” For a 
long time this bird divided ornithologists as to the situation it 
should occupy in the natural system, and for upwards of fifty 
