Description of the eggs of the Kagu, Rhinochetus jubatus, Verreaux et Des Murs
Abstract
Recently Mr. H. E. Finckh presented to the Trustees two eggs of the Kagu that were laid in confinement at Mosman, Sydney. Two of these birds, which he received from New Caledonia over three years ago, started at the beginning of April, 1902, to form a nest of dried twigs and leaves at the bottom of a box in their aviary, and on the 6th April an egg was laid. This was sat on for three weeks, one bird occasionally relieving the other, from which Mr. Finckh concluded they were a pair, but as there was no sign of a chick in the egg it was removed. Another egg was deposited in a small wooden shelterhouse in their aviary on the 1st of May, twigs and leaves afterwards being collected and placed around it; the birds sat closer on this egg, but without any success. A third egg was laid on the 25th May, and sat upon for three weeks, but with a similar result. One egg, presented, unblown, showed no trace of fertilisation; neither has Mr. Finckh noticed any actions of the birds, which are alike in plumage, that would furnish undoubted proof that they were male and female.
