ce,
were invisible from their point of observation.

From that moment it could be noted that several birds were always down
in the pit thus excavated, some going in, others coming out, as if
taking their turn in the performance of a common duty; and it was
further noticed that the ones so occupied were those of less conspicuous
plumage--in fact the hens; while the cocks strutted around, with their
tails elevated high in the air, and with all the pride and importance
usually assumed by masters of a grand ceremonial.

For another hour this singular scene was kept up, Saloo hindering his
companions from making any movement to interrupt it, by promising them a
great reward for non-interference.

The scene at length terminated in another grand scraping match, by which
the sand was flung back into the pit with the accompanying storm of
dust, and then emerging from the cloud there commenced a general
stampede of the megapodes, the birds separating into parties of two and
three, and going in different directions. They rushed away at lightning
speed, some along the smooth sand beach, while others rose right up into
the air, and on loud whirring wings flew off into the forest.

"Now!" said Saloo, with joy gleaming in his dark, Oriental eyes. "Now
we getee pay for patient waitee--we hab egg--better than dulion--belly
bess solt of egg malee."

As there was no need for further concealment or caution, all started to
their feet and hastened out to the spot where the departed fowls had
been at work. There was no longer any signs of a hollow, but a level
surface corresponding with that around, and but for the fresh look of
the recently disturbed sand, and the scoring that told of claws having
disturbed it, no one could have thought that a flock of birds resembling
barn-door fowl had just made such a large cavity in the ground, and then
filled it up again.

Saloo and Murtagh ran down to the pinnace, and each brought back an oar.
With these used as shovels, the loose sand was once more removed, and
nearly three dozen large eggs of a reddish or brick colour were exposed
to view, lying in a sort of irregular stratification. They were of the
usual ovoid form, smaller at one end than the other, though but slightly
elongated. What was most notable was their immense size, considering
the bulk of the birds that voided them; for while the latter were not
larger than common hens, the eggs were as big as those of a goose. The
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