544 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



half-flight from a higher to a lower bough. When feeding, if 

 pleased with its food, it makes a continued grunting noise : 

 it is a greedy bird and choice in its food, showing an evident 

 relish for anything of which it is fond. It cries repeatedly 

 during the night with a noise not very unhke that of the 

 Kaka, but not so loud. 



" The Kahapo is a very clever and intelHgent bird, in fact 

 singularly so ; contracts a strong affection for those who are 

 kind to it, shows its attachment by climbing about and rub- 

 bing itself against its friend, and is eminently a social and 

 playful bird ; indeed, were it not for its dirty habits, it makes 

 a far better pet than any other bird with which I am ac- 

 quainted ; for its manner of showing its attachment, by play- 

 fulness and fondling, is more like that of a dog than a bird. 



" It builds in holes under trees and rocks, and*lays two or 

 three white eggs, about the size of a Pullet's, in the month of 

 February ; and the young birds are found in March. 



" At present, 1854, the bird is known to exist only in the 

 middle island of New Zealand, on the west coast, between 

 Chalky Harbour and Jackson's Bay, and in the northern 

 island about the sources of the Whangarie, and in part of the 

 Taufa countries. It was, within the recollection of the old 

 people, abundant in every part of New Zealand, and they say 

 that it has been exterminated by the cats introduced by 

 Europeans, which are now found wild and in great numbers 

 in every part of the country ; they say also that the large rat, 

 introduced from Europe, has done its part in the work of 

 destruction. 



" The natives assert, that when the breeding-season is over 

 the KaJcapo lives in societies of five or six in the same hole ; 

 and they also state that it is a provident bird, and lays up in 

 the fine season a store of fern-root for the bad weather. I 

 have had five or six of these birds in captivity, but never suc- 

 ceeded in keeping them alive for more than eighteen months 

 or two years. The last I had I sent home as a present to 



