Co? ? espondence.



231



OWEN’S APTERYX.


Sik,—T he extraordinary proceedings of an Owen’s Apteryx (Apteryx

oweni), which formed part of the collection here will, I am sure, amuse a

good many. On April 4th last a Reeve’s Pheasant made a nest under a fallen

hough of a thorn tree, where nettles and other rubbish grow.


When three eggs were deposited they were discovered by the Apteryx

during his nocturnal rumblings and immediately annexed by him. You can

imagine my surprise and anger when I found him on the nest, and thinking

it was a mere accident, or a slight fancy, I picked him up and removed him

more than 100 yards away, to his favourite hiding place. Next morning he

was again on the eggs, and I removed him once more, only to find him

back on the nest the following morning.


Since that he has sat on the eggs, in a most business-like way, only

that I think he is a strong believer in the “ Shops Assistant Act! ” having

taken three full days holiday during the time of his well-meaning industry.

The three eggs are of course useless, but we are going to give him three

good eggs just ready to hatch to see what happens.


'The Pheasant went away disgusted, and did not nest again for ten

days; by that time doubtless she forgot that a Moonlighter occupied the

same enclosure as she did.


The accompanying photograph shows the bird and its surroundings

much better than my feeble attempt to describe it.


For some years we have had nests disturbed at nights in this enclosure,

particularly Pheasants ; the eggs would be strewed about and the nest

likewise showing unmistakable signs of a severe struggle for possession. I

have suspected Oweni for this and now feel sure that I was right in doing

so. It is a great favourite and does so well in this enclosure, having been

entirely self-supporting for over twenty years. During severe winters I have

offered him food, but he would not touch it, his natural food is quite

plentiful during the greater patt of the year, and consists of worms and any

insect small enough to swallow whole.


Although strictly nocturnal it is quite surprising how accurately he

will find his way to one of his well known hiding places. When taken

from one of these places during daylight and placed on the ground twenty

yards or more away, he will remain motionless for a few seconds to take

his bearings and then start off at a great pace in a bee line for the place

that he had been taken from. To describe this “ run ” properly is far too

much for me. Roughly, its a double shuffle, dot and carry one sort of

gait. The head is carried low with the bill almost touching the ground,

always making use of the feelers with which he is well provided.


R Cosgrave.



