330 Weka Rails Breeding in Captivity.


birds were observed. These, two in number, were an almost

uniform chocolate brown, with black eyes and beak and reddish

legs and feet, and they were carefully fed and looked after by

their parents.


On the first day the young remained in the nest, but on

the second they began to follow the adults, who diligently

searched for food, which consisted of all kinds of worms and

insects. At first the whole family remained under the cover of

overhanging plants, but later they went more and more into the

open, and at length both old and young would run fearlessly out

when food was brought.


When the young birds were about a fortnight old the legs

began to grow very long, so that their small bodies were carried

remarkably high. Provision was thus made for rapid movement

at an early age. When about five weeks old the legs of the

young birds began to get yellowish, and soon became so alto¬

gether. Feathers now appeared on the shoulders and sides, and

as no trace of a tail was yet visible they bore a superficial

resemblance to the Apteryx.


By July 26th they were fully fledged, although the feathers

were still short, and the legs became a dark red, the colour being

however still mixed with black. The bill was still black and

short, but it soon increased in length and became brightly

coloured, and in a short time the birds were fully grown.


The first plumage is similar to that of the adult; but the

black marks are less clearly defined, and the general colour is

darker.


Mr. Blaauw found the Wekas very tame, intelligent and

hardy, and possessing one fault only, namely, that they will kill

whatever they can master; on one occasion even killing a young

Rhea. However with an enclosure to themselves this bad

characteristic need not be taken into consideration.



