PARROTS, CUCKOOS, AND PLANTAIN-EATERS 491 



\_Birlin 



LEADBEATER'S COCKATOO 



Has a red crest, banded ivith yclloiu and tipped 'with white 



name implies, it is a ground-dwelling species, and, in accordance with this habit, has considerably 

 longer legs than the tree-haunting species. This lengthening of the leg in arboreal species 

 is seen also among pigeons and many other birds. 



The most interesting, perhaps, of all the parrots is the remarkable KAKAPO, or OWL-PARROT, 

 of New Zealand. Like the species just described, it is also a ground-dweller; furthermore, 

 it differs from all other members of the tribe in being flightless, and, like the flightless 

 members of the Ostrich Tribe, has completely lost the deep keel from the breast-bone, 

 which gives support to the muscles which move the wings. It is a large bird, green in 

 colour, mottled with yellow and black, and derives its name of Owl-parrot from the fact that 

 the feathers of the face radiate from the eye outwards to form a kind of disk. When 

 eating grass, it is said to graze, nibbling after the fashion of a rabbit. Occasionally it is 

 said to climb trees, descending with extended wings, so as to break the force of its career. 

 It has been described as a playful and affectionate pet in captivity, displaying also great 

 cleverness and intelligence. Unfortunately it is growing more and more rare, so that its final 

 extermination is only a question of time the ravages of dogs, cats, and pigs, introduced by 

 the settlers, being mainly the agents of destruction. 



Once common all over New Zealand, the range of the owl-parrot is now restricted to the 

 mountainous regions of North Island and the northern half of South Island. During the day 

 it remains concealed in the holes in rocks or under roots of trees, and if disturbed is difficult 

 to rouse. When taken from its retreat, it runs swiftly, and tries to hide, seeking shelter, 

 if possible, under a heap of soft, dry grass. At sunset, however, it becomes very animated, 

 and travels at least when possible in companies, making tracks a foot or more wide across 

 the herbage. It feeds greedily upon mosses, ferns, seeds, berries, and, it is said, even lizards, 

 giving vent, when devouring some favourite morsel, to a kind of grunting noise. 



