Mr. J. Haast on the Ground-Parrot of New Zealand. 341 



my last journey have I been able to see or learn anything about 

 the natural history of this bird, although I had often heard its 

 call and seen its footmarks in the river-beds and on newly 

 fallen snow. The principal reason why I never caught or even 

 saw this bird (which, by the way, is not at all scarce in certain 

 parts) is, doubtless, because I never had a dog with me; for 

 without a dog it is only by accident that one even sees it. 



The principal resorts of the Kakapo are the grass-plots in 

 the open and mossy beech-woods near mountain-streams, and 

 rocky declivities, beneath large moss- covered stones, overgrown 

 by beech-roots ; also the mossy banks of the larger rivers, which 

 are flooded now and then in consequence of a sudden thaw or 

 heavy rains. On the western slope of the Alps, as we go deeper 

 into the forests, the grain-eating birds grow less in number ; and 

 only where fir-trees are met with, Pigeons or " Kakas " {Nestor) 

 are found. Further on still in the central chain of mountains 

 they disappear likewise ; and even the Wood-hen, or Weka {Ocy- 

 dromus), is only found in those small districts near mountain- 

 streams where the forest is interrupted by grass-plots and brush- 

 wood. In the beech-forests of this subalpine region, where vege- 

 tation is most exuberant, and where the contemplation of the deep 

 green of mosses and ferns refreshes the tired traveller, animal 

 life is very scarce, and only the Kivi [Apteryx], two small in- 

 sectivorous birds — the native " Robin " and " Wren " — and the 

 Norwegian Rat (which has even here driven away the native Rat, 

 and usurped its place) are to be found. Here then is the spot 

 where the " Kakapo " finds shelter and support ; whilst above, 

 the less magnificent but still handsome Nestor nutahilis and iV. 

 eslingii feed on the seeds of the numerous shrubs and the roots 

 of alpine herbs. 



It is remai'kable that the Kakapo is never found on the 

 eastern side of the Alps, though extensive beech-forests are to 

 be met with there also. The only part excepted is the valley of 

 the Makavora River, which forms the Wanaka Lake. It appears 

 therefore to be confined to the western slope of the principal 

 mountain-chain, and only to pass over the low and wooded 

 defile that leads from the sources of the Haast River to those 

 of the Makavora. Even here, however, it is not found beyond 



