Sometimes he covers
them thickly with leaves, and sometimes lays them nearly bare, repeating
these operations frequently in the course of a single day.

The eggs at last are hatched, but when the young bird escapes from the
shell it does not leave the mound, remaining therein for at least twelve
hours. Even after a stroll in the open air it withdraws to its mound
toward evening, and is covered up, like the egg, only not to so great a
depth. It is a singular fact that in all cases a nearly cylindrical
hole, or shaft, is preserved in the centre of the heap, obviously
intended to admit the cooling air from without, and to allow of the
escape of the gases fermenting within.

In each nest as much as a bushel of eggs is frequently deposited. As
these are of excellent flavour, they are quite as much esteemed by the
white man as by the aborigine. The tallegalla has a habit of scratching
large holes in the ground while dusting itself, says Mr Wood, after the
manner of gallinaceous birds; and these holes often serve to guide the
egg-hunter towards the nest itself.

After this digression let us return to the megapodes of Borneo, whose
appearance had strongly excited the curiosity of Captain Redwood and his
party.

The birds that had now displayed themselves to the eyes of our party of
castaways were of the species known as "maleos," by Saloo called malee.
They had not just then alighted, but came suddenly into view around the
spur of a "dune," or sand-hill, which up to that moment had hindered
them from being observed.

As the spectators were quietly reclining under the obscure shadow of the
tree, the birds did not notice them, but stalked along the shore about
their own business.

What this business was soon became apparent; for although one or another
of the birds made occasional stop to pick up some worm, weed, or seed,
it was evident they were not making their evening promenade in search of
food. Now and again one would dart quickly away from the flock, running
with the swiftness of a pheasant, then suddenly stop, survey the ground
in every direction, as if submitting it to examination, and finally,
with a cackling note, summon the others to its side. After this a
general cackle would spring up, as if they were engaged in some
consultation that equally regarded the welfare of all.

It was noticed that those taking the initiative in these prospecting
rushes and summonings, differed a little from the others. The