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THE PARROT TRIBE 



The ground parrot is a somewhat large bird, attaining a total length of about 

 twenty-four inches, nine of which are occupied by the tail. The general color of 

 the plumage of the upper parts is sap green, each feather having a median yellow 

 line margined with black, from which spring irregular black rays. The feathers of 

 the front and sides of the head are, however, pale umber colored, with median lines 

 of yellowish white, and those of the wings and tail are mainly brownish buff, vari- 



THE OWL PARROT. 



(One-fourth natural size.) 



ously mottled with black and lemon yellow. Beneath, the prevailing tint is greenish 

 yellow, tinged with lemon yellow, and with somewhat similar dark markings. 



Although formerly distributed over the whole of New Zealand, the kakapo is 

 now confined to the North island and the northern half of the South island; its semi- 

 fossilized remains being found in association with those of the extinct moas. From 

 many parts of the country it has been recently exterminated, and is rare in most 



