260 A DESCRIPTION OF 
the sixth of February ; when, on again visiting Knocker's 
Bay, I had the gratification of seeing two taken from a 
depth of six feet, in one of the largest mounds I had 
then seen. In this instance the holes ran down in an 
oblique direction from the centre towards the outer slope 
of the hillock, so that although the eggs were six feet 
deep from the summit, they were only two or three feet 
from the side. The birds are said to lay but a single egg 
in each hole, and after the egg is deposited, the earth is 
immediately thrown down lightly, until the hole is filled 
up ; the upper part of the mound is then smoothed and 
rounded over. It is easily known when a Jungle-fowl 
has been recently excavating, from the distinct impression 
of its feet on the top and sides of the mound, and the 
earth being so lightly thrown over, that with a slender 
stick the direction of the hole is readily detected, the ease 
or difficulty of thrusting the stick down indicating the 
length of time that may have elapsed since the birds' 
operations. Thus far it is easy enough ; but to reach the 
eggs requires no little exertion and perseverance. The 
natives dig them up with their hands alone, and only 
make sufficient room to admit their bodies, and to throw 
out the earth between their legs ; by grubbing with their 
fingers alone, they are enabled to follow the direction of 
the hole with greater certainty, which will sometimes, at 
a depth of several feet, turn off abruptly at right angles, 
its direct course being obstructed by a clump of wood, or 
some other impediment." 
