152 



THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Kakapo. 



The Kakapo. 



StringoiJs habroptilus. 

 Above, green varied with brown; below, yellowish greeu varied with 

 brown and j'^ellowish white. Eye black. Very variable in size. Length 

 of the wing, 11 in.; of the tarsus, 1.75 in. Egg — White; length, 1.9 in. 

 Both Islands, but very rare in the North. 



Size, appearance, and habits of life comI)ine to make the kakapo 

 one of the most remarkable birds in the dominion. Its intelligence 

 commands respect, and its helplessness sympathy, while its p-enial 



