324 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



stratagems for luring the wayfarer from their nests or young as 

 any birds in Europe. 



Mr. Travers states that this cluck is usually found in the valleys, 

 feeding more upon the tender shoots of young grass and upon 

 herbs of ditferent kinds than upon fish or other forms of animal 

 life. It breeds from October to January, and not infrequently 

 rears two broods in one season. Both parents are anxious and 

 watchful about their young, resorting to the ruse of pretending 



( Vot/. Kivbus and Terror.) 

 Paradise Duck : male. 



lameness, and ina])ility to rise from the ground, in order to draw 

 off any animal which they think likely to be mischievous. Upon 

 the danger signal l)eing uttered by the parent bird, the young 

 ones usually make at once for the nearest flowing water, down 

 which they float close to the bank, seeking cover, and availing 

 themselves with great sagacity of every opportunity of shelter or 

 concealment, in which they are assisted hy their similarity in 

 general colour to the soil and vegetation. 



