Dr. E. Hopkimon—The Breeding of the Mallee Fowl



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They have been breeding in this way for a good many years, and

such breeding seems to offer the best chances of survival for this and

so many other Australian birds and beasts whose existence changed

.conditions and civilization are threatening so ominously.


For a good account of the experiment, I cannot do better than

quote an article from the Advertiser (Adelaide) of 2nd February, 1932,

contributed by Mr. Downer M


“ Mallee Fowl are being fast exterminated by foxes and iguanas.

This is much to be regretted, and every assistance and support should

be given to the family of the late Mr. Bell chambers to carry on the

good work which he started in breeding these birds at Humbug Scrub.

The Mallee Fowl digs a hole in the ground and builds a huge mound

of dirt, leaves, and sticks. Leaves are scratched into the bottom of

the mound, which is opened, mostly by the cock bird. The hen lays

an. egg; which the cock sets and covers with leaves, sand, sticks, and

stones. The decaying leaves generate sufficient heat to hatch the egg,

and the young bird makes its way unassisted out of the mound. When

it reaches the top of the mound it is feathered, can fly, and is independent

of its parents. The old birds appear to take no notice of their young.

This dry summer has been ideal for my pair of birds. Strange to say,

two young birds came out on the same day, a third five days later, the

fourth five days later, and the fifth three days later, and I am expecting

more shortly. The birds can tell by the nose and beak whether the

temperature is right, and they open and close the nest according to

requirements. Bellchambers said that these strange birds never

drink in their native state, but do so occasionally in captivity. Who

wants to be a Mallee Fowl ? I have kept these birds for about fifteen

years, and the only time I have ever seen them take water was the

other day, when one of the young ones took three drops. It is not

known how many eggs a Mallee Fowl will lay. I have seen sixteen in

one mound in three tiers, but whether more than one hen used the

nest I do not know.


“ Frank H. Downer. 55


Many other Australian birds inhabit the garden and adjoining

paddock, two of the Plover, various Ducks, etc., and a few aviaries

house smaller birds, but the Mallee Fowl naturally have pride of place.



