344 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



When irritated, it makes a cracking noise by snapping its 

 mandibles together very rapidly. In attempting to defend itself, 

 it displays an awkward feebleness rather than a posture of self- 

 protection, by striking forward with its foot, as in the act of 

 scratching, at a line about its own height, and its only defence 

 against dogs is in concealment. In -walking, it has a peculiar step. 

 The foot is lifted deliberately, and rather high above the ground, 

 and its gait is like that of a person who moves stealthily. 



Between the sexes there seems to exist a lasting companionship, 

 and it is thought that the birds pair for life. For a nesting place 

 the rowi selects a hole in some huge tree or log, or amongst roots. 

 Sometimes the hole is excavated in a soft bank, where the soil is 

 light, but care is generally taken that the site shall be on a ridge 

 of dry ground. The breeding season extends over some months, 

 from October to February. Two eggs are generally laid, and the 

 old birds rather lie than sit on them. The method of roosting is 

 very peculiar. The birds squat opposite each other with their 

 legs bent under them, each with its head tucked under the scanty 

 apology for a wing. If there are young in the hole, they assume 

 the same position on each side, there being a young one between 

 the two parents, and the result of this singular family arrange- 

 ment is a nearly perfect hemisphere of feathers. They often 

 appear torpid or very drowsy when surprised in their homes, 

 sometimes remaining quite undisturbed by noise. Their cry. 

 which is harsh, and is something like " cr-r-r-ruck, cr-r-r-ruck, "" 

 is not uttered until after sundown. The young are well clothed 

 when they leave the shell. The general colour of the bird is 

 greyish-brown, streaked with black in the young and adult state. 

 and in some fme old birds a glint of golden chestnut edges part 

 of the plumage. 



The Grey Kiwi. — Kiwl 



A'pteryx oweni. 



Grey, spotted with yellowish white, the spots forming bands. Bill,, 

 straight. Tarsus, pale brown. Claw on the wing, weak, slightly curved, 

 and of a light horn colour. Eye, black. Male, length of the bill, 2.8.> 

 inches; of the tarsus, 1.75 inch. In the female, length of the bill, 3.5- 



