BIRDS WHICH LAY
FOUNDATIONS FOR THEIR
YOUNG
Megapodes live in Australia and build very special nests for their eggs. The
male megapode digs a large hole and fills it with wet, decaying plant mat-
ter. The bird has a very important and specific reason to do so. Bacteria in
the decaying plant matter produce heat and thus warm the nest. In order
to keep the temperature steady, the male makes ventilation openings and
continuously checks the temperature of the nest by sticking its beak through
these openings. It also makes a funnel shaped opening on the surface of the
heap of vegetation. This opening lets rainwater leak into the heap during
winter and thus keeps it moist.
Once the nest is ready, the female comes along and lays its eggs in the hole.
However, the temperature of the nest increases continuously during the
summer, upon which the male megapode covers the nest with sand. In this
way, it tries to prevent transmission of heat to the nest.
Now, let us ask a question. Before you read these paragraphs, did you know
that heat is released by decaying plants? It is natural for you not to know
about this unless you have already read a relevant book. Many people do
not know. Yet, megapodes have this knowledge. What is more, they make
use of this knowledge for the benefit of their young.
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W O N D E R F U L C R E A T U R E S
