66 



M'Lean, Bush-Birds of New Zealand. [^^^ 



The Tawari (Ixerba brexioides) and opening Seed-pod. 



Food of the Kaka Parrot (Nestor meridionalis). 



(drawing by c. c. brittlebank.) 



this food they soon became fat. Many were obtained by the 

 bushmen. and were excellent in soup or pie. As the trees went 

 down the birds visited the felling in search of the fruit, but 

 found great difficulty — or showed little aptitude — in obtaining 

 the seeds, now all more or less involved amid the mass of twigs 

 and leaves. After this crop was over, in July, the birds dis- 

 appeared from the ridges ; but a few could be seen in different 

 parts during the following months. With their powerful beaks 

 they search the rotting timber for insects, and it was not unusual 

 to see a Kaka, as if simply through force of habit, tear a chip 

 from the branch as soon as he lighted upon it. A good deal of 

 investigation is carried on upon the ground, and in the more open 

 country they have been seen, on the edges of the bush-patches, 

 busy about the surface amid the common fern or bracken 

 {Pteris), but their object was unknown. In the bush, however, 

 they are usually noticed in such a position during showery 

 weather, when, no doubt, part of their business is the mvestiga- 



