AFTER YX. 



ZZZ 



France, and more or less abundantly throughout Southern Europe, always fre- 

 quenting the wild and open parts of the country. The bustard is the largest 

 of European land birds. The male, when fuil-grown, measures nearly four feet 

 in length, and about nine feet from tip to tip of the extended wings ; its weight 

 is on an average twenty-five pounds. The female is smaller. The general 

 colour of the plumage of the upper surface is buff, with numerous delicate 

 transverse bars; the lower surface is white, and the head and neck are white 

 with a greyish tinge. Bustards were formerly hunted with dogs in our own 

 island. On the continent they are now frequently shot with a rifle, and as 

 they are very shy and wild, the sportsman has often great difficulty in stalking 

 them. The flesh, of the young birds especially, is highly esteemed, and in 

 many European countries they are often seen in the markets for sale. Bus- 

 tards are polygamous ; the females lay two or three eggs in a small hollow in 

 the ground. Their food consists partly of vegetable matter; but in addition 

 to worms and insects, they are said to kill and devour small quadrupeds and 

 reptiles. 



Sub-Family III. 



THE KIVIS. APTERYGIN^. 



General Characteristics. — Bill lengthened, very slender, the base covered by a 

 long cere, broad, and rather depressed, with the tip hangmg over that of the lower 

 mandible ; the nostrils placed at the tip, small, and sub-linear. 



The birds which constitute this family are distinguished from 

 the ostriches by the shortness of their legs, and the presence of 

 a short hind toe arm.ed with a strong claw on each foot. A further 

 distinction is afforded by the form of the bill, which is elongated, 

 nearly cylindrical, and slightly curved. The nostrils are situated 

 quite at the tip of the upper mandible. The wings are rudimentary, 

 and completely concealed beneath the feathers of the body. 



The type of the race is — 



The New Zealand Apteryx {Aptoyx Australis). In this remarkable 

 bird there is scarcely the slightest trace of wings, a peculiarity w^hich has 

 gained for it the title of apteryx, or wingless. It is chiefly met with in the 

 southern parts of the interior of New Zealand, where it is called by the natives 

 "■kivi, kivi" in imitation of its cry. When seized, it defends itself vigorously 

 with its powerful feet. Its activity is nocturnal, and it feeds principally upon 

 earthworms, which it captures by driving its long bill into the soil, first of all, 

 according to some authors, stamping upon the ground to ascertain the presence 

 of its prey. These birds live in pairs, and construct a rough nest in the holes 

 which they ordinarily frequent ; in this the female lays a single egg, about the 

 size of that of a goose. 



The favourite localities frequented by the apteryx are those covered with 

 extensive dense beds of fern, among which it conceals itself during the day. 



