The Kakdpo or Owl Parrot.



235



the Kakapoo, Owl-Parrot or Night-Parrot is entirely nocturnal

in its habits, passing the day in some hole or under thick ferns or

brushwood, issuing forth only after dusk to seek its food. It

appears to be mostly terrestrial, though it may climb small trees

to feed on the fruit or leaves. It is incapable of flight, and its

plumage is mottled green and brown, closely resembling its

mossy surroundings.



Stringops habroptiius.


From Mivart's Elements of Ornithology.


Unfortunately most of the interesting native birds of New

Zealand are rapidly becoming extinct before the steady advance

of colonization with its ineviable accompaniment of predaceous

animals such as cats and other vermin, and it cannot be long

before these wonderful survivors of a primative race of Parrots

are entirely wiped off the face of the Earth. Such a state of

things is extremely regrettable, but inevitable. It is greatly to

be hoped that the specimen now at the Gardens, where it has

been deposited by the Hon. Walter Rothschild, may at least


survive for some time. If others could be obtained there would -


seem to be no reason why the species should not breed in

captivity. D. S-S.



