186 Transactions. — Zoology, 



Ko. 61. — Apteryx australis, Shaw. 

 Rowi of the natives. 

 Big Kiwi of the miners. 



Why should there yet be so much mystery about the habits of birds 

 so well known as kiwis ? Their flesh has for years been recognised as forming 

 a part of the bush-food of the prospector or digger in Westland ; just as much 

 so, indeed, as that of the pigeon, the weka, or the kaka, still we have not 

 any minute history of this quaint-looking creature. 



There are, in the writer's opinion, probably five or six species of Apteryx ; 

 of these, all but one are supposed to exist on the South Island, whilst 

 A, mantelli is now the sole representative of the race in the North Island. 



The rowi, or big kiwi of the west coast of the South Island, is far more 

 local in its distribution than is A. oweni, or even perhaps than A. mantelli ; 

 according to Mr. Docherty, it is known to inhabit certain districts, the well- 

 defined boundaries of which it does not attempt to pass ; its range is as 

 isolated and distinctly marked as though impassable barriers existed between 

 its haunts and the surrounding country. 



We have had many opportunities of watching the mode of progression of 

 three kinds of kiwi, and of judging of the defensive powers of the bird, 

 supposed to be conferred by the robust tarsus and foot, which have gallinaceous 

 characteristics much more prominent in life than in the best preserved speci- 

 mens. The articulation of the tibia with the tarsus is one of great strength ; 

 the powerful scale-defended leg is united to a foot furnished with strong claws, 

 with -which the bird scratches for its food, after being directed thereto by its 

 powerful olfactory organs. We believe that the beautifully organized bill 

 (which should be observed in life to understand its delicacy) is used solely 

 for probing into soft humus, moss, and decayed wood. When the rowi is 

 irritated it makes a cracking noise by snapping the mandibles together very 

 rapidly. In attempting to defend iteelf it displays an awkward feebleness 

 rather than a posture of self-protection, by striking forwards with its foot, as 

 in the act of scratching, at a line about its own height, and its only defence 

 against dogs is in concealment. In walking the step is peculiar, the foot is 

 lifted deliberately, and rather high above the ground ; its gait reminding one 

 of the movements of a person walking stealthily. Its run is a slinging trot, 

 but in fairness it should be remembered that our judgment of its locomotive 

 powers is based on the blundering efibrts of the wretched animal half-blinded 

 by the unaccustomed glare of daylight, or frightened and dazzled by artificial 

 light at night. 



There are a few other points in its organization which must be taken into 

 consideration. In the first place the feathers are soft, flocculent, and silky 

 towards the base, whilst the distal portions terminate in produced hair-like 



