THE OWL PARROT. 



4-( 15 



The name given to the curious bird now before us is a very appropriate one, as the 

 creature seems to partake equally of the natures of the Owl and the Parrot. 



Even in its habits it lias much of the Owl nature, being as strictly nocturnal as any of 

 those birds. During the daytime it conceals itself in holes, under the stumps of trees, and 

 similar localities, and seldom being seen except after sunset. The natives of New Zealand, 

 where it is found, say that during the winter months the Owl Parrots assemble together in 

 great numbers, collecting themselves into certain large caverns, and that while arranging for 

 ■ their winter-quarters, and be- 

 fore dispersing for the sum- 

 mer, they become very noisy, 

 and raise a deafening clamor. 



The Owl Parrot is weak 

 of wing and seldom trusts 

 itself to the air, taking but a 

 very short flight whenever it 

 rises from the ground. Neither 

 is it seen much in trees, pre- 

 ferring to inhabit the ground, 

 and making regular paths to 

 and from its nest, by means 

 of which its habitation may 

 be discovered by one who 

 knows the habits of the bird. 

 These tracks are about a foot 

 in width, and so closely re- 

 semble the paths worn by the 

 footsteps of human beings 

 that they have been mistaken 

 for such by travellers. 



The food of this bird 

 is mostly obtained on the 

 ground, and consists of ten- 

 der twigs, leaves, and roots, 

 which it digs up with its 

 curved bill, covering that 

 useful organ with earth and 

 mud. The eggs of the Owl 

 Parrot are merely laid upon 

 some decaying wood in the same hollows wherein the bird sleeps during the day. Their 

 number is two, although three are sometimes found. The breeding season commences in 

 February. The natives distinguish this bird by the name of Kakapo. 



It is a very large bird, nearly equalling the eagle owl in dimensions ; and, like that bird, 

 standing very upright on its legs. The general color of the plumage is darkish green profusely 

 mottled with black, and sparingly dashed with yellow. Under the eye is a patch of yellow- 

 green. The beak is long and curved, very like that of an owl, and it is nearly concealed 

 by the stiff bristles with which it is surrounded, and many of which cross each other at the 

 tips over the bill. The abdomen is green of a yellower hue than the upper pai'ts of the body, 

 " crossed with a few very faint bars of a darker hue. The tail is also green, but marked with 

 brown. 



OWL PARROT. —Slringops kutiroplilus. 



According to some authors, the Aratoo, already described on a previous page, is closely 

 connected with the very remarkable bird called Presquefs Dasyptilus. 



As in the case of the previous species we find an example of a Parrot following the owl 

 type in its form and many of its habits, we have here an instance of another Parrot bearing a 



