按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ily across the cabin。 Considering the great distances the birds come to deposit the eggs in a proper situation （often ten or fifteen miles） it seems extraordinary that they should take no further care of them。 It is； however； quite certain that they neither do nor can watch them。 The eggs being deposited by a number of hens in succession in the same hole； would render it impossible for each to distinguish its own； and the food necessary for such large birds （consisting entirely of fallen fruits） can only be obtained by roaming over an extensive district； so that if the numbers of
birds which come down to this single beach in the breeding season； amounting to many hundreds； were obliged to remain in the vicinity； many would perish of hunger。
In the structure of the feet of this bird； we may detect a cause for its departing from the habits of its nearest allies； the Megapodii and Talegalli； which heap up earth； leaves； stones； and sticks into a huge mound； in which they bury their eggs。 The feet of the Maleo are not nearly so large or strong in proportion as in these birds； while its claws are short and straight instead of being long and much curved。 The toes are； however； strongly webbed at the base； forming a broad powerful foot； which； with the rather long leg； is well adapted to scratch away the loose sand （which flies up in a perfect shower when the birds are at work）； but which could not without much labour accumulate the heaps of miscellaneous rubbish； which the large grasping feet of the Megapodius bring together with ease。
We may also； I think； see in the peculiar organization of the entire family of the Megapodidae or Brush Turkeys； a reason why they depart so widely from the usual habits of the Class of birds。 Each egg being so large as entirely to fill up the abdominal cavity and with difficulty pass the walls of the pelvis； a considerable interval is required before the successive eggs can be matured （the natives say about thirteen days）。 Each bird lays six or eight eggs or even more each season； so that between the first and last there may be an interval of two or three months。 Now； if these eggs were hatched in the ordinary way； either the parents must keep sitting continually for this long period； or if they only began to sit after the last egg was deposited； the first would be exposed to injury by the climate； or to destruction by the large lizards； snakes； or other animals which abound in the district； because such large birds must roam about a good deal in search of food。 Here then we seem to have a case in which the habits of a bird may be directly traced to its exceptional organization； for it will hardly be maintained that this abnormal structure and peculiar food were given to the Megapodidae in order that they might not exhibit that parental affection； or possess those domestic instincts so general in the Class of birds； and which so much excite our admiration。
It has generally been the custom of writers on Natural History to take the habits and instincts of animals as fixed points； and to consider their structure and organization； as specially adapted； to be in accordance with these。 This assumption is however an arbitrary one； and has the bad effect of stifling inquiry into the nature and causes of 〃instincts and habits；〃 treating them as directly due to a 〃first cause；〃 and therefore； incomprehensible to us。 I believe that a careful consideration of the structure of a species； and of the peculiar physical and organic conditions by which it is surrounded； or has been surrounded in past ages； will often； as in this case； throw much light on the origin of its habits and instincts。 These again； combined with changes in external conditions； react upon structure； and by means of 〃variation〃 and 〃natural selection〃； both are kept in harmony。
My friends remained three days； and got plenty of wild pigs and two Anoas； but the latter were much injured by the dogs； and I could only preserve the heads。 A grand hunt which we attempted on the third day failed； owing to bad management in driving in the game； and we waited for five hours perched on platforms in trees without getting a shot； although we had been assured that pigs； Babirusas； and Anóas would rush past us in dozens。 I myself； with two men； stayed three days longer to get more specimens of the Maleos； and succeeded in preserving twenty…six very fine ones the flesh and eggs of which supplied us with abundance of good food。
The Major sent a boat； as he had promised； to take home my
baggage； while I walked through the forest with my two boys and a guide； about fourteen miles。 For the first half of the distance there was no path； and we had often to cut our way through tangled rattans or thickets of bamboo。 In some of our turnings to find the most practicable route； I expressed my fear that we were losing our way； as the sun being vertical； I could see no possible clue to the right direction。 My conductors； however； laughed at the idea； which they seemed to consider quite ludicrous； and sure enough； about half way； we suddenly encountered a little hut where people from Licoupang came to hunt and smoke wild pigs。 My guide told me he had never before traversed the forest between these two points； and this is what is considered by some travellers as one of the savage 〃instincts；〃 whereas it is merely the result of wide general knowledge。 The man knew the topography of the whole district； the slope of the land； the direction of the streams； the belts of bamboo or rattan； and many other indications of locality and direction； and he was thus enabled to hit straight upon the hut； in the vicinity of which he had often hunted。 In a forest of which he knew nothing； he would be quite as much at a loss as a European。 Thus it is； I am convinced； with all the wonderful accounts of Indians finding their way through trackless forests to definite points； they may never have passed straight between the two particular points before； but they are well acquainted with the vicinity of both； and have such a general knowledge of the whole country； its water system； its soil and its vegetation； that as they approach the point they are to reach； many easily…recognised indications enable them to hit upon it with certainty。
The chief feature of this forest was the abundance of rattan palms hanging from the trees； and turning and twisting about on the ground； often in inextricable confusion。 One wonders at first how they can get into such queer shapes； but it is evidently caused by the decay and fall of the trees up which they have first climbed； after which they grow along the ground until they meet with another trunk up which to ascend。 A tangled mass of twisted living rattan； is therefore； a sign that at some former period a large tree has fallen there； though there may be not the slightest vestige of it left。 The rattan seems to have unlimited powers of growth； and a single plant may moult up several trees in succession； and thus reach the enormous length they are said sometimes to attain。 They much improve the appearance of a forest as seen from the coast； for they vary the otherwise monotonous tree…tops with feathery crowns of leaves rising clear above them； a