2800 The Zoologist — October, 1871. 



portion of its food, it may cause the fertilization of the blossoms of 

 trees, and thus assist in their propagation. Its love of insect-food, 

 and the toil which it undertakes for the sake of gratifying this 

 appetite, which Nature has implanted in this bird, materially affect 

 the economy of the timber forests it inhabits. Although so often 

 accused of injuring trees by stripping down the bark, from careful 

 observation we do not believe a flourishing tree is ever damaged 

 by its beak ; it is the apparently vigorous but really unsound tree 

 that is attacked, already doomed by the presence of countless 

 multitudes of insects, of many varieties, of which it is at once the 

 food and refuge, either in their perfect or larval slate. 



In the persevering and laborious pursuit of this favourite food, 

 the kaka doubtless lends his assistance in hastening the fall of 

 decaying trees ; the loosened strips of bark, dissevered, admit to the 

 exposed wood, rain, tnoisture collected from dews and mists to be 

 dried by evaporation, by the heat of the sun, by the desiccating 

 winds, only to become saturated again : under this alternation the 

 insidious Fungi take root, decay rapidly sets in, the close-grained 

 timber gives place to a soft spongy texture, branches drop off, and 

 gradually the once noble-looking tree succumbs to its fate ; but its 

 gradual decay and fall, the work of years, has ])roved beneficial to 

 the surrounding plants ; the dropping of the branches admits light 

 and air to the aspiring saplings, assists in checking the undue 

 spread of Lichens and Epiphytes, and when the old stem falls, 

 tottering down from its rottenness, its place is supplied by vigorous 

 successors. In estimating the value of its labours as an insect-eater, 

 it should not be forgotten that the Picidae family is entirely absent 

 from our bird system, and that upon this indefatigable climber 

 devolves some share of the duty of representing that peculiar group 

 of forest birds. 



Living in trees, when disturbed the kaka hops amongst the 

 branches with much dexterity, beak and wings assisting its awkward- 

 looking but rapid progress as it threads its way amongst leaves and 

 sprays with unruffled plumage; the peculiar formation of its grasping 

 feel enable it to execute wonderful feats of agile climbing. A sharp 

 short note or two marks its uneasiness when a vigilant eye watches 

 what takes place below : when really alarmed, after a few hurried 

 movements, it flies some short distance, at first start usually gliding 

 downwards rather than flying straight, threading the leafy maze of 

 the close-growing trees with perfect ease and grace : at this time it 



