1858 THE PARROT TRIBE 



yellow. In size the kea may be compared to a raven ; its total length being nineteen 

 inches, of which one and three-fourths is taken up by the bill. The kaka (JV. meri- 

 dionalis), which inhabits both islands, and is the species represented in our colored 

 plate, is a rather smaller bird, readily distinguished by the presence of a red tinge 

 on the abdomen and under wing coverts, as well as by a wash of golden yellow on 

 the ear coverts. It is subject to a considerable amount of local variation. Still 

 smaller, although with a longer beak, is the extinct Phillip island parrot (N. pro- 

 ductus), of which a figure is given on p. 1859. This bird attained a length of about 

 fifteen inches, and was distinguished by the broad yellowish-white band across the 

 chest. Also extinct, the Norfolk island parrot (N. norfolcensis) , the smallest of the 

 group, was distinguished from the Phillip island species by the high curvature and 

 length of the bill, which measured three and one-half inches, and by the absence 

 of a dark bar on the tail. 



Confining our attention to the New Zealand representatives of the 

 genus, it may be observed in the first place that the brush- like ex- 

 tremity of the tongue of these birds indicates flower-sucking habits. They are gen- 

 erally found in mountain regions, the kea ascending to elevations of some six thousand 

 feet. The kaka is an eminently-social bird, and by tar the noisiest of the denizens 

 of the woods of its native islands. "Being seminocturnal in its habits," writes Sir 

 W. Buller, "it generally remains quiet and concealed during the heat of the day. 

 If, however, the sportsman should happen to find a stray one, and to wound instead 

 of killing it, its cries of distress will immediately raise the whole fraternity from 

 their slumbers, and all the kakas within hearing will come to the rescue, and make 

 the forest echo with their discordant cries. Unless, however, disturbed by some 

 exciting cause of this sort, they remain in close cover till the approach of the cooler 

 hours. Then they come forth with noisy clamor, and may be seen, far above the 

 tree tops, winging their way to some feeding place; or they may be observed climb- 

 ing up the rough vine-clad boles of the trees, freely using their powerful mandibles, 

 and assuming every variety of attitude, or diligently tearing open the dead roots of 

 the close epiphytic vegetation in their eager search for insects and their larvae. In 

 the spring and summer, when the woods are full of wild blossom and berry, these 

 birds have a prodigality of food, and may be seen alternately filling their crops with 

 a variety of juicy berries, or sucking nectar from the crimson flowers of the rata 

 ( Metro sideros) by means of their brush-fringed tongues. With the earliest streaks 

 of dawn, and while the underwoods are still wrapped in darkness, the wild cry of 

 this bird breaks upon the ear with strange effect. " It is from the oft-repeated cry 

 of kaka-kaka, that the bird derives its name. In dull weather kakas may often be 

 seen abroad in the daytime, while occasionally flocks may be observed sweeping 

 across a forest glade in the full sunlight. In spite of their slow and measured flight, 

 these birds periodically migrate from one part of the country to another, generally 

 traveling in parties of three or more, and frequently stopping to rest on the bare 

 boughs of some dead forest tree. During the pairing season the male and female 

 are constantly in each other's company, flying side by side, and calling as they go. 

 The breeding commences in November, the nest being a poor affair, made in the 

 hollow of the trunk of a decayed tree. Here four eggs are usually laid, although it 



