66 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



frequented almost all parts of the country, from the bush-clad 

 mountain ranges to the valleys sloping down to the sea. When 

 Europeans first came here, these birds abounded on Banks 

 Peninsula, but they have now retired to the higher and more 

 remote bushes of the interior. Even there they are seldom seen. 



Though at times somewhat shy. they are usually gentle and 

 confident in their numners towards human beings. These 

 characteristics, which to us form one of their greatest charms, 

 are leading them to their destruction. Being easily caught, they 

 rapidly fell a prey to man and to the rats that came in his ships. 



They fly about in pairs, and it is thought that they mate for 

 life. The male bird, who is a very pugnacious little fellow, fights- 

 with great determination whenever he meets another crow of his 

 sex. But to his mate he is as gentle as a sucking dove. The pairs 

 seem to be mutually and demonstratively atfectionate. i\Iale and 

 female have been seen sitting on some fruit-bearing tree, con- 

 stantly caressing each other with their bills ; a pair kept in 

 confinement behaved in this manner for about two years ; and, 

 when one of them died, the other survived only a few days. 



The note of the New Zealand crow is in pleasing contrast with 

 the harsh and dissonant croak of the Old Country crow. It is 

 remarkably sweet and plaintive, and has been compared to the 

 notes of a flute exciuisitely played upon. During the birds' 

 breeding season, their song is one of the most varied and beautiful 

 of all New Zealand bird songs. 



In disposition our crows display some of the true character- 

 istics of all the crow family, being inquisitive and crafty; but 

 they differ again from the Old World crows in being poor and 

 feeble flyers, as their flight is limited to 200 yards. They lack 

 the audacity, malice, eovetousness, and cupidity of the British 

 and American members of the family, and, so far as is known, 

 they make a proper distinction between "meum" and "tuum."" 

 They recognise their human friends, and become nuicli attached 

 to people who take notice of them. There are two species, one 

 for the North Island, the other for the South ; but the habits and 

 characteristics of the two species are very nuich alike, and the 

 Maoris class both under the one name, kokako. 



