THE OWL PARROT 243 



of indigenous species. During the daytime this 

 singular bird is said to secrete itself in crevices 

 of rocks or tree roots, coming out in the evening to 

 search for the plants, seeds, and fruits upon which it 

 subsists. Although it appears sometimes to mount 

 into trees, its usual haunt is the ground. Here it 

 runs about, to some extent assisted by its short 

 wings, which appear unable absolutely to support 

 it in the air. It will thus be seen that the Owl 

 Parrot is a particularly helpless creature in the 

 presence of a predaceous animal. Before civilised 

 man came upon the scene, this helplessness was 

 of little moment, for it could generally manage 

 to elude its natural enemies, the birds of prey. 

 But when man introduces such previously un- 

 known foes as cats, dogs, weasels, and the like, 

 the result must of necessity be a disastrous one 

 for such a terrestrial bird. The Owl Parrot 

 furnishes one more instance of the crass folly of 

 meddling with nature's methods by introducing 

 birds and animals into countries where they 

 are certain to work untold harm, by destroying 

 creatures which might otherwise have survived 

 for ages yet to come. 



The Owl Parrot is described by Professor 

 Newton as being "about the size of a Raven, of 



