320 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
wings are relatively short and rounded, and although it has 
parrot-like feet, yet these are adapted more for ground-running 
than grasping. It has a somewhat strigine face, the radiating 
feathers around the eyes simulating the facial disk of the Owl’s, 
while numerous tactile hairy feathers prominently oceupy the 
root of the beak. Dr. Giinther’s statement, as above, denotes 
an insectivorous bird, or one that would not despise worms 
or other vermin, but other information on its habits leads to the 
supposition of a preference for vegetable food. Dr. Sclater remarks 
of that living in the Gardens in 1875 :—‘‘ The Stringops is most 
strictly nocturnal in its habits, and never emerges from the box 
in which it is kept, voluntarily, during daylight. Our specimen 
has no power of flight, but uses its wings to aid it in running. It 
feeds upon oats, apples, lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables, 
and appears to thrive well upon this diet.” 
NEW ZEALAND NIGHT PARROT. 
Stringops habroptilus, Gray. 
Sir George Grey records of the Kakapo that during the day 
it remains hid in holes under the roots of trees or rocks, rarely 
perching. Sleepy and stupid as it hides among the grass during 
the day, at sunset it becomes lively, animated, and playful, then 
