94 ■ PARROTS. 



islands, and is the species represented in our coloured Plate is a rather smaller bird, 



readily distinguished by the presence of a red tinge on the abdomen and under 



wing-coverts, as well as by a wash of golden-yellow on the ear-coverts. It is 



subject to a considerable amount of local variation. Still smaller, although with a 



longer beak, is the extinct Phillip Island parrot {N. prodiictus), of which a 



fifi-ure is given on p. 95. This bird attained a length of about 15 inches, and was 



distinguished b}' the broad yellowish white band across the chest. Also extinct, 



the Norfolk Island j)arrot (iY. norfolcensis), the smallest of the group, was 



distinguished from the Phillip Island species by the high curvature and length of 



the bill, which measured 3| inches, and by the absence of a dark bar on the tail. 



Confinino" our attention to the New Zealand representatives of 

 HSibits 



the genus, it may be observed in the first place that the brush-like 



extremity of the tongue of these birds indicates flower-sucking habits. They are 



generally found in mountain regions, the kea ascending to elevations of some six 



thousand feet. The kaka is an eminently social bird, and by far the noisiest of the 



denizens of the woods of its native islands. " Being seminocturnal in its habits," 



writes Sir W. Buller, " it generally remains quiet and concealed during the heat of 



the day. If, however, the sportsman should happen to find a stray one, and to 



wound instead of killing it, its cries of distress will immediately raise the whole 



fraternity from their slumbers, and all the kakas within hearing will come to the 



rescue, and make the forest echo with their discordant cries. Unless, however, 



disturbed by some exciting cause of this sort, they remain in close cover till the 



approach of the cooler hours. Then they come forth with noisy clamour, and may 



be seen, far above the tree-tops, winging their way to some feeding-place; or they 



may be observed climbing up the rough vine-clad boles of the trees, freely using 



their powerful mandibles, and assuming ever}'' variety of attitude, or diligently 



tearing open the dead roots of the close epiphytic vegetation in their eager search 



for insects and their larv». In the spring and summer, when the woods are full 



of wild blossom and berry, these birds have a prodigality of food, and may be seen 



alternately filling their crops with a variety of juicy berries, or sucking nectar 



from the crimson flowers of the rata {Metrosideros) by means of their brush-fringed 



tongues. With the earliest streaks of dawn, and while the underwoods are still 



wrapped in darkness, the wild cry of this bird breaks upon the ear with strange 



efiect." It is from the oft-repeated cry of kaka-kaka, that the bird derives its 



name. In dull weather kakas may often be seen abroad in the daytime, while 



occasionally flocks may be observed sweeping across a forest glade in the full 



sunlight. In spite of their slow and measured flight, these birds periodically migrate 



from one part of the country to another, generally travelling in parties of three or 



more, and frequently stopping to rest on the bare boughs of some dead forest tree. 



During the pairing-season the male and female are constantly in each other's 



company, flying side by side, and calling as thej' go. The breeding commences in 



November, the nest being a poor afiair, made in the hollow of the trunk of a 



decayed tree. Here four eggs are usually laid, although it is said that there may 



sometimes be as many as six ; and the young are able to fly early in January. 



Being an excellent mimic, the kaka is highly esteemed by the Maories as a pet, 



and, like most parrots, will live many years in captivity. 



