44 



NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. 



OEDEE YI. 



STRUTIIIONES : osteich.like. 



Wings, short, generally incapable of flight ; legs, strong. 



APTERTGIN^. 



Bill, lengthened, slender ; base, covered by a long cere ; nostrils, near the tip. 



Apteetx. SJiaio. 



Tarsi, about the length of the middle toe, very robust; lateral toes, equal ; hind toe 

 very short. 



New Zealand only. 



..^..^^k-^ 



54. Apteryx mantelli. Bart. 



NoETH Island Kiwi. 



(Plate XXI.) 



Fulvous- l)rown, streaked with blaclc ; feathers, harsh to the touch. 



L., 21 ; B., 5-5 ; T., 2-5. 



Very variable in size. 



Hgff. — White; oval; length, 4 75 ; breadth, 3-25. 



Mab. — North Island ; Little Barrier Island. 



''The Kiwi is iu some measure compensated for tlic absence of 

 wings by its swiftness of foot. When running it makes wide strides 

 and carries the body in an oblique position, with its 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 resemblance. In a quiescent posture the 

 body generally assumes a perfect rotund appearance ; and it some- 

 times, but only rarely, supports itself by resting the point of its bill 

 on the gromid. 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 down- 

 wards with considerable force and rapidity, thus using its sharp and 

 powerful claws as weapons of defence. The story of its striking the 

 ground with its feet to bring the earthworms to the surface, which 

 appears to have gained currency among naturalists, is as fanciful as 



