NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 256 



from the common ki-wi by its somewhat larger size, lighter colour, 

 freckled markings, and general puffiness of plumage. The 

 principal localities it frequents are dense gullies, where it remains 

 concealed during the daytime, and from Avhicli it almost never 

 issues until the approach of night, when it ventures out in quest of 

 food. From this habit it is but seldom seen except by the natives, 

 who watch its appearance, and never miss an opportunity of 

 capturing it. They often watch it with great patience in the 

 recesses of the forest for the sake of its fat, Avhich they make use 

 of as a cure for skiu diseases. They also use the feathers for 

 dressing fish hooks. The Maories, therefore, tempted by the 

 virtues of ki-wi grease, and the utility of the bird's wiry 

 feathers, seldom think of preserving it for scientific purposes. 

 Hence even the rewards off"ered to these savages are generally 

 fruitless as regards the acquisition of specimens. The nest of this 

 highly curious wingless bird is found in hollow logs, and is 

 formed of dried ferns and grasses. There is but one egg, which, 

 however, is of great size, weighing about 1 3 ounces, being almost 

 a sixth of the entire weight of the bird itself. For some of these 

 particulars Mr Gray expressed himself indebted to Mr Yuill, who 

 had lived many years in New Zealand. 



The Owl Parrot {Strigops hahrojyiilus) was described as another 

 of the weird-looking examples of an ancient avi-fauna not yet 

 extinct. Like the Apteryx, it is strictly nocturnal in its habits, 

 concealing itself in holes and under tree stumps, coming abroad 

 only after sunset. From native reports it would appear that these 

 lurds at one time collected together in great numbers in winter, and 

 associated in one congregation in large caves, making a deafening 

 noise when they at first assembled, and again when they dispersed. 

 This singular-looking species possesses but feeble powers of flight, 

 only proceeding a short distance when put up. It is seldom seen 

 in trees, but inhabits the ground, on which its food is chiefly 

 gathered. It appears to make use of its bill in digging up certain 

 roots, leaves, and twigs, on which it constantly subsists. The 

 nest is placed in hollow logs of decayed wood lying upon the ground, 

 and is generally found to contain two eggs. The bird makes a 

 sort of pathway leading to it, and this track is so conspicuous 

 (being about a foot in width) that it often misleads the traveller, 

 who imagines he has found the track of human footsteps. 



