36 



NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. 



46. Platycoreus rowleyi. Buller. 



Lessee Eed-fkonted Paerakeet. 



Similar to P. novcE-zealandiee, but even smaller than F. auriceps. 

 L., 9-5 ; W., l-Tu ; B., -55 ; T., -65. 

 Hab. — South Island. 



NestOE. War/l. 



Bill, much lengthened and compressed, base of the lower mandible partly hidden by 

 projecting feathers ; wings, long, rather pointed ; tail, moderate, even at the end ; tip of 

 the tongue fringed. 



New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Phillip Island. 



47. Nestor meridionalis. Oml. 



Beown Paekot. Kaka. 

 (Plate XVI.) 



Olive-brown ; top of tlic head, grey ; abdomen, and over the tail, purplish-red ; ears, 

 yellowish ; at the back of the neck a ring of yellowish-red ; third and fourth quills equal, 

 and longest. 



L., 19-5; W., 11; B., 1-6; T., 1-2. 



Varies much in size and colour, sometimes entirely yellow and red ; albinoes also occur. 

 Varieties distinguished as Ivaka-kura, Kaka-kereru, Kaka-pipiwarauroa, and Kaka-korako. 



Egg. — Ovoid; wliitc ; length, 1-75 ; breadth, 1-25. 



Hab. — Both Islands. 



" Sprightly in its actions, emiucutly social, and more noisy than 

 any other inhabitant of the woods, the Kaka holds a prominent place 

 among our native birds. Being scmi-noctnrnal in its habits, it 

 generally remains quiet and concealed during the heat of the day. If, 

 however, the sportsman should happen to find a stray one, and to 

 wound instead of killing it, its cries of distress will immediately rouse 

 the whole fraternity from their slumbers, and all the Kakas Avithin 

 hearing will come to the rescue, and make the forest echo with their 

 discordant screams. Unless, however, disturbed by some exciting 

 cause of this sort, they remain in close cover till the approach of 

 the cooler hours. Then they come forth with noisy clamour, and 

 may be seen, far above the tree-tops, winging tlieir way to some 

 favourite feeding-place ; or they may be observed climbing up the 



