280 WINGLESS LAND BIRDS 



too small to escape from a dangerous enemy by running away. 

 It is about the size of a Cochin-China hen, covered with long, 

 stringy, hair-like feathers of a dark-brown color, and it has a 

 long, curved beak like that of an ibis, for probing in the earth. 

 Undoubtedly, the civilized development of New Zealand will 

 cause the total extinction of this very shy but interesting 

 species at no distant day. 



In captivity in a zoological garden it is as shy and retir- 

 ing as a beaver. In order to keep it from fretting itself to 

 death, it is necessary to place in a corner of its cage a sheaf 

 of straw, or a bundle of leafy branches, behind which it can 

 retreat from observation, and lie concealed. 



Outside of its New Zealand home, this bird is rarely seen 

 in captivity ; which is to be regretted, because it is one of the 

 most interesting forms of the whole avian world. 



