KALKOENTJE 



475 



Kakapo. (From Buller.) 



the physiognomy of an Owl to justify the generic name bestowed 

 upon it. Of its internal structure little has been described, and 

 that not always correctly. Its 

 furcula has been said {Froc. 

 Zool. Soc: 1874, p. 594) to be 

 " lost," whereas the clavicles, 

 which in most birds unite to 

 form that bone, are present, 

 though they do not meet, while 

 in like manner the bird has 

 been declared (ojx cit. 1867, p. 

 624, note) to furnish among 

 the Carinatm " the only appar- 

 ent exception to the presence 

 of a keel " to the sternum. 

 The keel, however, is undoubtedly there, as remarked by MM. 

 Blanchard {Ann. Nat. Sc. Zoologie, ser. 4, xi. p. 83) and A. Milne- 

 Edwards {Ois. Foss. de la France, ii. p. 516), and, though much reduced 

 in size, is nearly as much developed as in the DoDO and the Weka. 

 The aborted condition of this process can hardly be regarded but in 

 connexion with the incapacity of the bird for flight, and may very 

 likely be, as some have supposed, the result of disuse. There can be 

 scarcely any doubt as to the projiriety of considering this genus the 

 type of a separate Family of Fsittaci ; but whether it stands alone, or 

 some other forms (Pezoporus or Geopsittacus, for example,^ Avhich in 

 coloration and habits present some curious analogies) should be 

 ])laced with it, must await future determination. In captivity the 

 Kakapo is said to shew much intelligence, as well as an affectionate 

 and playful disposition, soon attaching itself to its master and taking 

 pleasure in caressing him and being caressed in turn. Unfortunatelj^ 

 it does not seem to share the longevity characteristic of most 

 Parrots, and none that have been held in confinement appear to 

 have long survived, while many succumb speedily. For further 

 details the reader may be referred to Gould's Birds of Australia (ii. 

 p. 247) and Handbook (ii. p. 539), Dr. Finsch's Die Pafageien (i. p. 

 241), but especially to Sir W. Buller's Birds of New Zealand (p. 26, 

 ed. 2, i. p. 176), in Avhich last work nearly all the information 

 hitherto recorded is to be found. 



KALKOENTJE (Little Turkey), the Dutch name in South 

 Africa for the Alauda capensis of Linnseus, the type of Swainson's 

 genus Macronyx, which recent authors suppose to be allied to Anthus 

 (Pipit), and refer to the Family MotacillidR% a position that may be 

 open to doubt. It is common throughout the open country, and 



1 Dr. Reichenow (/owrTi. /iVr Orw. 1881, pp. 13-16) boldly unites them in a 

 single Family, but in that case it should bear the name of PezojMridie. 



