Smith. — On Ocydromus australis. 133 



distance. The young make their appearance on the twentieth 

 day, and remain in the nest three or four days before the mother 

 ventures out with them ; the chicks are shy and wary, and hide 

 on the slightest alarm given by the parent birds. The male is 

 untiring in its efforts to procure food, and often rambles far from 

 the brood ; when a suitable morsel is found it runs hurriedly 

 back to them. The morsel, whatever it may be, is usually seized 

 by the female while iu its mate's bill. Often enough food for 

 days is strewn around the brood, so persistent is the male in its 

 efforts to procure food. Both parents are furious in defence of 

 their young ; if a chick is caught, and caused to make a distres- 

 sing cry, both birds rush around with open beak, and utter a 

 barking discordant noise. I have often seized both birds with 

 my hands by this means. 



The young attain maturity in the fifth and sixth month ; 

 they are deserted by the parent birds about the fourth month, 

 the latter generally laying again and rearing a second brood ; 

 if the nest is robbed, or the young removed from them, they 

 will lay three and four times. Eggs and young can be obtained 

 in this district (Oamaru) all the year round. The Weka's age 

 can be determined by the colour of the eye, the legs, or plumage. 

 The bright scarlet iris is acquired the second year ; the silvery 

 plumage of males, or the bright red legs of females, is an unmis- 

 takable sign of good age in both. Once paired, they will remain 

 permanently so. 



When enclosed in small yards they become tamer than 

 domestic fowls, thrusting their heads through the meshes of 

 the wire and feeding from the hand. For two seasons I have 

 confined female wekas with domestic game-cocks, for the pur- 

 pose, if possible, of procuring hybrids between the two species, 

 to endeavour to settle the question of alleged crossing, but thus 

 far without success; although they lay freely, the eggs have 

 been unfruitful. If the eggs are removed immediately after 

 laying, they lay four and five times during the year, producing 

 fifteen or twenty eggs.* The wing-spurs appear to have been 

 acquired for defensive purposes alone, as I am unable to detect 

 any other purpose they serve in the bird's economy. The 

 females do not use the spurs much, one or other generally 

 running away, hotly pursued by its assailant. The chase is often 

 kept up till both are exhausted. The males are more pugna- 

 cious, and do not run so readily. When fighting, and facing 

 each other, the wings are elevated or arched over the back, the 

 neck is drawn in under cover of the wings, while the spurs are 



* This season, three young females, reared in confinement, have laid 

 seven dozen and two eggs, one bird laying three dozen and two of this 

 number ; the latter from the first week in September to the present time, 

 December 7. The two others laid two dozen and three from August 25th, 

 and one dozen and nine from August '28th, respectively. 



