THE GREY KIWI 



345 



inches; of tlie tarsus, 2.5 inches. Total length, about 19 inches. Egg — 

 White; length, 4.35 inches. South Island. 



Apteryx oweni, which is sometimes called the straight-billed 

 kiwi, and the little grey kiwi by diggers, has similar habits to 

 those of the species just described. ]\Ir. Potts says that he can see 

 no reason for mistaking the elaborately organised bill for an 

 instrument to be used like a pick for digging into hard soil. The 



Grey Kiwi. 



(Riiiiieys Oinith. MisveL] 



tongue is very short, but nuiscular, angular in shape, and it can 

 be used in crushing insects against the flat, opposed surface of 

 the upper mandible, as tlie strong muscle on the lower surface 

 gives a great degree of strength. The visual organs, which are 

 feebly developed, are placed so as to command the movements of 

 the upper mandible. The ears are well developed, and, as an aid 

 in discovering food, are next in importance to the olfactories. 



The long straggling hail's, or weak bristles, planted among the 

 feathers of the anterior part of the head, fulfil the useful office 



