140 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



In its habits, it is gregarious ; and it is sociable even in distress, 

 large nmnbers gathering round a fallen member of the company, 

 with apparent demonstrations of commiseration. This habit led 

 to scores being slain where otherwise only a single bird might 

 have been victimised. The ^Maoris took full advantage of the 

 habit in obtaining large supplies. They also attracted kakas to 

 their death by imitating their cry, which can be done without 

 much difficulty. In the "taki" system of catching kakas. a long 

 pole was stuck in the ground, in a slanting position. A man then 

 hid himself in a hut. made of the leaves of the fern-tree, at the 

 foot of the pole, and either used a tame kaka as a decoy or 

 imitated the kaka 's cry. As the bird alighted on the pole and 

 descended, turning from side to side, the man put forth his hand 

 and caught it unawares. When a decoy was used, the end of the 

 pole was placed inside the hut, and the unwary bird walked right 

 in. 



In dull and moist weather, the kaka is more noisy than usual. 

 Its voice is heard at the earliest dawn, and even at night it is not 

 silent. "Often in the bright sunshine," to quote Mr. Potts 's 

 words, "scores may be observed with loud screams and clatter, 

 flying and circling about, and, high above the outskirts of the 

 bush, apparently bent on enjoying some short excursion. Now 

 and then an individual, more hilarious than his fellows, after a 

 somewhat slow and laboured ascent, will suddenly dart down- 

 wards perpendicularly, with almost closed wings. This feat is 

 doubtless performed to an appreciative and admiring circle, if 

 one may judge from the clamour of the company." 



It has been found that kakas, when migrating from one part 

 of the country to another, fly at a considerable height, uttering 

 at intervals a brief note that sounds something like "t-chrut, 

 t-chrut, " then, perhaps a whistling call of "tweetie, tweetie. " 

 They do not travel in large flocks ; but two or three, and some- 

 times six or seven, are often found in company. Their steady, 

 slow, and somewhat laboured flight when journeying, it is stated, 

 cannot be mistaken for that of any other native bird on the wing. 

 When serious business is on hand, they have a methodical, 

 painstaking style, which is in contrast to their gay, rattling. 



