196 TALKS ABOUT BIRDS 



They also have long hair-like feathers on 

 their faces, like the whiskers of cats, so that 

 they most likely feel their way as well. On 

 the other hand, they see worse than any other 

 birds ; it is not so surprising, perhaps, that 

 they do not seem able to see much by day, 

 but even at night their little eyes do not appear 

 of very much use to them. I have found that 

 you can wave a handkerchief before a captive 

 one and that it will take no notice, but will 

 start if you make a noise ; and even a wild one 

 will walk close up to a man even at night. 

 Kiwis are not able to fly ; indeed, they have 

 the smallest wings of any birds, but it is funny 

 to see that when they are asleep in the day- 

 time, they tuck their long bill away behind 

 their tiny wing, just as if it were big enough 

 to cover their heads. I have never seen the 

 other birds which do not fly, such as emus 

 and rheas, tuck their heads away at all, but 

 I cannot say if they never do it. I think 

 the kiwis are the most thorough night-birds 

 of any because they are the sleepiest in the 

 daytime ; you can pick one up without making 

 it wake and turn its head round. After the 

 kiwis, owls seem quite bright and lively 



