2-913-671 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Nest of the Brush Turkey, in the Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent's-Park, 1854. 'The Wattled Talegalla...are hot-bed makers; and in these beds or mounds, of no trifling size, they bury their eggs...This mound, however, is not the work of one pair of birds only, but is effected by the united industry of several, which labour in concert for some weeks...It varies in size from two to four cart-loads, and is of a perfectly pyramidal form...it is known to inhabit various parts of New South Wales...unless some measures be adopted for the preservation of this bird, its extinction, at no remote date, may be anticipated. Its flesh is extremely tender, delicate, and juicy...the male seems to look after the young bird, and even keeps the female in the background...It is strange that he should take upon himself duties which, among Gallinaceous birds, are always performed by the female'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.