THE KIWI. 235 



in the plains of the interior, over whose solitudes it roams in great numbers, and where it 

 breeds, depending on the strength and swiftness of its legs to avoid the pursuit of the stock- 

 men and their dogs. Farther and farther back, however, will it be driven, until it be extir- 

 pated, unless some law be instituted to check its wanton destruction. 



" The note of the Emu is a low booming or pumping noise, which we know is produced by 

 the female by means of the expansion and contraction of a large membranous bag surroundmo- 

 an oblong opening through the rings of the trachea. The eggs, which are placed in a cavity 

 scooped in the earth, generally in a sandy soil, are six or seven in number, of a beautiful dark- 

 green, resembling shagreen in appearance, five inches and three-quarters in length by three inches 

 and three-quarters in breadth. They are held in much esteem by the natives, who feed upon 

 them whenever they can be procured." 



The Spotted Emu (D. irroratus) has often bred in captivity in England, and a very interest- 

 ing account of the acclimatisation of this species in Surrey has been written by Mr. William 

 Bennett, of Betchworth. 



THE SECOND FAMILY OF THE STRUTHIONES.-THE KIWIS (Apteryx). 



In these curious birds, whose native home is New Zealand, one meets with many character- 

 istics of the Ostriches, while at the same time there are many points in which they differ from 

 them. They are not so large as the smallest Cassowary, the biggest species of the genus, the 

 Large Grey Kiwi (Apteryx haasti), being only about two feet in height ; the neck and feet are also 

 proportionately shorter than in the Ostriches and Cassowaries. The bill is very long and smooth, 

 the nostrils being placed at the very tip, a peculiar provision in these birds, which, as will be 

 seen, presently, plunge the whole of the bill into the ground in search of their food. The plumage 

 of the body much more resembles hair than feathers, both to the sight and touch, and the wings 

 are so completely hidden, that the bird appears to have absolutely none at all.* There is no after- 

 shaft to the feathers of the body, and the toes are four in number, the hind toe being elevated 

 above the level of the others, very short and thick, and having the nail a little smaller than 

 on the other toes. 



Four species of Apteryx are known to Science, two of them being of a reddish-brown coloui-, 

 and two of a grey plumage. The North Island in New Zealand possesses two of the species, 

 and the South Island two, as follows : The North Island Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) is represented 

 in the South Island by the Apteryx australis, while Owen's Apteryx (A. oweni), or the Little 

 Grey Kiwi of the South Island, is replaced in the North Island by the Large Grey Kiwi, or 

 Haast's Apteryx (A. haasti). It is doubtful, however, whether the larger birds ought to be 

 considered anything more than bigger races of the smaller species. Dr. Buller has given a good 

 account, as far as it goes, of the habits of Apteryx mantelli, but the great difficulty in observing 

 these birds in a state of nature renders our knowledge of their economy rather meagre. The 

 above-named gentleman writes : " The Kiwi is in some measure compensated for the absence of 

 wings by its swiftness of foot. When running it makes wide strides, and carries the body in an 

 oblique position, with the neck stretched to its full extent and inclined forwards. In the twilight 

 it moves about cautiously and as noiselessly as a rat, to which, indeed, at this time, it bears 

 some outward resemblance. In a quiescent posture the body generally assumes a perfectly rotund 

 appeai'ance ; and it sometimes, but only rarely, supports itself by resting the point of its bill on the 

 ground. It often yawns when disturbed in the daytime, gaping its mandibles in a very grotesque 

 manner. When provoked, it erects the body, and raising the foot to the breast, strikes downwards 

 with considerable force and rapidity, thus using its sharp and powerful claws as weapons of defence. 

 The story of its striking the ground with its feet to bring the eai'th- worms to the surface, which 

 appears to have gained currency among naturalists, is as fanciful as the statement of a well-known 

 author that it is capable of inflicting a dangerous blow, sometimes even killing a dog. 



" While hunting for its food the bird makes a continual sniffing sound through the nostrils, which 

 are placed at the extremity of the upper mandible. Whether it is guided as much by touch as by smell 

 * Hence its name, Apteryx, from the Greek <*, not, and -re'puf, a wing. 



