304 Zoological Society : — 



least alarm they elevate the head, and, seeing danger, dart among 

 the thick brush, and thread about in localities where no human 

 being could follow them, and disappear like magic. This bird, with 

 its strong legs and muscular thighs, has an extraordinary power of 

 leaping : it was from this circumstance the first bird brought from 

 New Britain was lost : from its habit of leaping, it one day made a 

 spring on the deck and went overboard ; as it was blowing a strong- 

 breeze at the time, the bird perished. In warm weather, the Captain 

 informs me, they are fond of having a bucket of salt water thrown 

 over them, and seem to enjoy it very much. I succeeded in pur- 

 chasing these birds ; and Captain Slater (the present commander of 

 the 'Oberon') brought them to my house in a cab; and when 

 placed in the yard, they walked about as tame as turkeys. They 

 approached any one that came into the yard, pecking the hand as if 

 desirous of being fed, and were very docile. They began by pecking 

 at a bone in the yard, probably not having tasted any meat for some 

 time, and would not, while engaged upon it, touch some boiled pota- 

 toes which were thrown to them ; indeed we found afterwards they 

 fed better out of a dish than from the ground — no doubt, having been 

 accustomed early to be fed in that manner. They were as familiar 

 as if born and bred among us for years, and did not require time to 

 reconcile them to their new situation, but became sociable and quite 

 at home at once. We found them next day rather too tame, or, like 

 spoilt pets, too often in the way. One or both of them would walk 

 into the kitchen ; while one was dodging under the tables and chairs, 

 the other would leap upon the table, keeping the cook in a state of 

 excitement ; or they would be heard chirping in the hall, or walk into 

 the library in search of food or information, or walk up stairs, and 

 then be quickly seen descending again, making their peculiar chirping, 

 whistling noise ; not a door could be left open, but in they walked, 

 familiar with all. They kept the servants constantly on the alert : if 

 the servant went to open the door, on turning round she found a 

 "Mooruk" behind her; for they seldom went together, generally 

 wandering apart from each other. If any attempt was made to 

 turn them out by force, they would dart rapidly round the room, 

 dodging about uuder the tables, chairs, and sofas, and then end by 

 squatting down under a sofa or in a corner ; and it was impossible to 

 remove the bird, except by carrying it away : on attempting this, the 

 long, powerful, muscular legs would begin kicking and struggling, and 

 soon get released, when it would politely walk out of its own accord . 

 I found the best method was to entice them out, as if you had some- 

 thing eatable in the hand, when they would follow the direction in 

 which you wished to lead them. They sometimes also give a smart 

 kick to any person attempting to turn them out forcibly. The house- 

 maid attempting to turn the bird out of one of the rooms, it gave her 

 a kick and tore her dress whilst she was very politely driving him 

 before her. They walk into the stable among the horses, poking 

 their bills into the manger. When writing in my study, a chirping, 

 whistling noise is heard ; the door, which was ajar, is pushed open ; 

 and in walk the " Mooruks," who quietly pace round the room, in- 



