18 



^ 



As we proceed further south the variation is still more apparent^ the whole plumage partaking of a 

 lighter character. There is also considerable variation in size; and a specimen in the collection of 

 Mr. W. T. L. Travers^ in addition to being unusually small in all its proportions^ has the whole of the 

 plumage deeply stained with ferruginous. A beautiful albino was shot at Te Whauwhau (Whangarei) 

 in the winter of 1871. 



EvEKY New-Zealand colonist is familiar with this little Owl, under the name of " Morepork." It 

 is strictly a nocturnal species, retiring by day to the dark recesses of the forest, or hiding in the 

 crevices of the rocks, and coming abroad soon after dusk to hunt for rats, mice, and the various 

 kinds of moths and beetles that fly at night. It is common in all parts of the country, although 

 not so numerous now as it formerly was ; and the familiar cry from which it derives its popular 

 name may often be heard in the more retired parts of our principal towns, as well as in the 

 farmer's country home or in the rustic Maori '' kainga : " I have even known several instances of its 

 voluntarily taking up its abode in a settler's house or, more frequently, in the barn, and remaining 

 there a considerable time. 



When discovered in its hiding-place during the day, it is found sitting upright, with the head 

 drawn in, the eyes half closed, and the feathers of the body raised, making the bird appear much 

 larger than it really is. It will then allow a person to approach within a few yards of it, and, if 

 disturbed, will fly ofi" noiselessly for a short distance and attempt to secrete itself. It will often 

 remain many days, or even weeks, in the same piece of bush. In the volcanic hills or extinct 

 craters that surround the city of Auckland, there are numerous small caves, formed by large cracks 

 or fissures in the ancient lava-streams, the entrance to them being generally indicated by a clump 

 of stunted trees, growing up among loose blocks of scoria. These gloomy recesses are a favourite 

 resort of the Morepork in the daytime. 



On the approach of night its whole nature is changed : the half-closed orbits open to their 

 full extent, the pupils expand till the yellow irides are reduced to a narrow external margin, and 

 the lustrous orbs glow with animation, while all the movements of the bird are full of life and 

 activity. It then sallies forth from its hiding-place and explores in all localities, preferring, how- 

 ever, the outskirts of the forest, where nocturnal insects abound, and the bush-clearings in the 

 neighbourhood of farms, or the ruins of Maori villages, these places being generally infested 

 with rats and mice, on which it chiefly subsists. Like other birds of prey, it afterwards regurgi- 

 tates the hair and other indigestible parts of these animals in hard pellets. That the Morepork 

 also preys on small birds there can be no reasonable doubt, although it has been frequently denied. 

 Mr. Gilbert Mair has seen one, at sunset, seated on the branch of a Tutu bush (Coriaria nisci- 

 folia) with a live Korimako in its claws, and in the act of killing it ; and a native once told me 

 that he had seen one of these Owls killing and devouring a Parrakeet. Captain Eobinson, of 

 Manawatu, further attests the fact ; for on one occasion, when walking in his garden after sunset, 

 he saw a Morepork emerge from a Blue-gum and spring upon a Kingfisher, firmly grappling it in 

 its claws. The bird uttered a cry of pain or terror ; and on my informant advancing towards the 

 spot, the Owl released its victim and flew off, but immediately afterwards made a second attack, 

 securing the Kingfisher firmly in its grasp, and only relaxing its hold at the moment of being 

 seized. I have been informed by Sir George Grey that, of nearly a hundred Diamond-Sparrows 



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