138 



PARROTS. 



sunset it becomes lively, animated, and playful, issues forth from its retreat, and 

 feeds on grass, weeds, vegetables, fruits, seeds, and roots. When eating grass, 

 it grazes rather than feeds, nibbling the grass in the manner of a rabbit or wombat. 

 It sometimes climbs trees, but generally remains upon the ground, and only uses 

 its short wings for the purpose of aiding its progress when running, balancing 

 itself when on a tree, or in making a short descent — half jump, half flight — from 



THE OWL-PARROT {\ liat. slze). 



an upper to a lower bough. When feeding, if pleased with its food, it makes a 

 continued grunting noise. It eats greedily, and is choice in its food, showing an 

 evident relish for anything of which it is fond. It cries repeatedly during the 

 night, with a noise not very unlike that of the kaka, but not so loud. The kakapo 

 is a very clever and intelligent bird, in fact singularly so ; contracts a strong 

 affection for those wlio are kind to it ; shows its attachment by climbing about and 

 rubbing itself against its friend ; and is eminently a social and playful bird. It 

 builds in holes under trees and rocks, and lays two or three white eggs about the 

 size of a pullet's in the month of February ; and the voung birds are found in 



