Pile-builder megapode ulna, a distal left ulna, a distal-end left ulna proximal, and a half right femur. When the early settlers of the Lapita culture arrived in Tonga around 1500 BC, they found only marine species such as sea turtles and giant forms of terrestrial birds such as megapodes, doves, and rails. The hunting of these bird species for food led to their rapid extinction. In New Caledonia, the giant megapode might have survived into historic times. William Anderson, a naturalist and surgeon's mate aboard during James Cook's second South Sea voyage, described a bird from New Caledonia with bare legs, which
Moluccan megapode Moluccan megapode The Moluccan megapode ("Eulipoa wallacei"), also known as Wallace's scrubfowl, Moluccan scrubfowl or painted megapode, is a small, approximately 31 cm long, olive-brown megapode. The genus "Eulipoa" is monotypic, but the Moluccan megapode is sometimes placed in "Megapodius" instead. Both sexes are similar with an olive-brown plumage, bluish-grey below, white undertail coverts, brown iris, bare pink facial skin, bluish-yellow bill and dark olive legs. There are light grey stripes on reddish-maroon feathers on its back. The young has brownish plumage, a black bill, legs and hazel iris. An Indonesian endemic, the Moluccan megapode is confined to hill and