During the day the megapode is sometimes silent, but ever and anon it gives way to what may in charity be presumed to be a crow--an uncouth, discordant effort to imitate the boastful, tuneful challenge of the civilised rooster.
"The Confessions of a Beachcomber"
E J Banfield
Reference is made elsewhere to the surpassing intelligence of the megapode in taking advantage of the heat caused by the fermentation of decaying vegetation to hatch out huge eggs.
"The Confessions of a Beachcomber"
E J Banfield
I come gladly to the conclusion that the megapode is a sagacious bird, not only in the avoidance of the dismal duty of incubation, but in respect of the making of those great mounds of decaying vegetable matter and earth which perform the function so effectively.
"The Confessions of a Beachcomber"
E J Banfield