Meg·a·pode n. Zool. Any one of several species of large-footed, gallinaceous birds of the genera Megapodius and Leipoa, inhabiting Australia and other Pacific islands. Called also mound builder, scrub fowl, moundbird, and brush turkey. See Jungle fowl (b) under Jungle, and Leipoa.
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Brush tur·key Zool. A large, edible, gregarious bird of Australia (Talegalla Lathami) of the family Megapodidæ. Also applied to several allied species of New Guinea.
Note: ☞ The brush turkeys live in the “brush,” and construct a common nest by collecting a large heap of decaying vegetable matter, which generates heat sufficient to hatch the numerous eggs (sometimes half a bushel) deposited in it by the females of the flock.
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brush turkey
n : black megapode of wooded regions of Australia and New Guinea
[syn: Alectura lathami]