PESQUET'S DASYPTILUS. 



54^ 



leaves, and roots, which it digs up with its cur\'ed bill, covering that useful organ with 

 earth and mud. The eggs of the Owl Parrot are merely laid upon some decaying wood in 

 the same hollows wherein the bird sleeps during the day. Their number is two, although 

 three are sometimes found. The breeding season commences in February. Tlie natives 

 distinguish this bird by the name of Kakapo. 



It is a very large bird, nearly equalling the eagle owl in dimensions ; and, like that bird, 

 standing very upright on its legs. The general colour of the plumage is darkish green 

 profusely mottled with black, and 

 sparingly dashed with yeUow. 

 Under the eye is a patch of 

 yellow green. The beak is long 

 and curved, very like that of an 

 owl, and it is nearly concealed by 

 the stiff bristles with which it is 

 surrounded, and many of which 

 cross each other at the tips over 

 the bill. Tlie abdomen is green 

 of a yellower hue than the upper 

 parts of the body, crossed with a 

 few very faint bars of a darker 

 hue. The tail is also green, but 

 marked with brown. 



According to some authors, 

 the Aratoo, already described on 

 page 538, is closely connected 

 with the veiy remarkable bird 

 represented in the accompanying 

 illustration. 



As in the case of the previous 

 species we find an example of a 

 Parrot following the owl type in 

 its form and many of its habits, we 

 have here an instance of another 

 Parrot bearing a close resem- 

 blance to the diurnal predaceous 

 birds. Indeed, from examining 

 the Parrots and their habits, it 

 is impossible not to perceive the 

 analogy that exists between them- 

 selves and the birds of prey, many 

 of whom are far less formidaljly 

 armed than the vegetable-feeding 

 Parrots. Perhaps we may call 

 tlie Parrots vegetarian raptores. 



The rather long generic name 

 of Dasyptilus which has been 

 given to this bird is of Greek ori- 

 gin, signifying " Hairy -plumage," 

 and is appropriated to the bird 



on account of the bristle-like feathers, which cover the head and neck, and the generally 

 bristly character of the plumage. The beak is long, straight for a considerable portion 

 of its length, and then curved suddenly downwards at the tip, just after the maimer of the 

 eagles. Indeed, if the head were removed from the body, nine persons out of ten would 

 attribute it to one of the eagles. The lower mandible is, howcA-er, more like that of the 

 Parrots, short, thick, and keeled. Around the eye there is a large patch of bare skin, and 



PESQUET'S DASYPTILUS.- Dtisi/J''!''"* Pesquetii. 



