268 LOST AND VANISHING BIRDS 



some naturalists this latter bird is thouofht to be 

 doubtfully distinct ; but it is said to be not only- 

 larger, and with a stouter bill, but darker in 

 coloration, the bars on the plumage being nearly 

 black. 



Sir Walter Buller's account of these birds is 

 certainly the best that has been published, and 

 extracts from this, referring to the North Island 

 species, may aptly be quoted here. He writes, in 

 his classic History of the Birds of New Zealand, 

 as follows : " The Kiwi is in some measure compen- 

 sated for the absence of wings by its swiftness of 

 foot. When running, it makes wide strides, and 

 carries the body in an oblique position, with the 

 neck stretched to its full extent and inclined 

 forwards. In the twilight it moves about 

 cautiously and as noiselessly as a rat, to which, 

 indeed, at this time, it bears some outward re- 

 semblance. In a quiescent posture the body 

 generally assumes a perfectly rotund appearance; 

 and it sometimes, but only rarely, supports itself 

 by resting the point of its bill on the ground. It 

 often yawns when disturbed in the daytime, 

 gaping its mandibles in a very grotesque manner. 

 When provoked, it erects the body, and, raising the 

 foot to the breast, strikes downwards with con- 



