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47 



peculiar group of forest-birds. How diligently the insects are sought for by the Kaka, may be 

 judged from the heaps of bark chips that lie beneath decaying trees. Often it maybe noticed on 

 the ground, tearing away the mossy clothing of the huge gnarled roots that spread around; even 

 the soft rotten boughs are gnawed, to obtain the larvse of some of the larger bush-insects." 



The same accurate observer has contributed the following remarks on the ordinary habits of 

 this species : — " Living in trees, when disturbed it hops amongst the branches with much dexterity, 

 beak and wings assisting its awkward-looking but rapid progress as it threads its way amongst 

 leaves and sprays with unruffled plumage, the peculiar formation of its grasping feet enabling it 

 to execute wonderful feats of agile climbing. A sharp note or two marks its uneasiness when a 

 vigilant eye is watching what takes place from below. When really alarmed, after a few hurried 

 movements, it flies some short distance, at first usually gliding downwards rather than flying 

 straight, threading the leafy maze of the close-growing trees with perfect ease and grace, and 

 warning its fellows of impending danger by uttering loud oft-repeated cries of kaka^ kaka. We 

 have ever thought it a miserable sight to watch the Kaka when severely wounded, uttering its 

 low smothered cries of distress and pain. How the wretched bird endeavours to save its fall 

 from the leafy shelter by clinging to bough and spray with des]3erate tenacity, often seizing its 

 wounded limb with its powerful beak, as if to tear away the burning agony from which it suff'ers ! 

 At all times gregarious, it is social even in distress ; and numbers gather round their wounded 

 companion, to fall easy victims to the gunner. In September we have observed it poised on the 

 slender bough of some tall Panaoc^ luxuriating on the viscid nectar of its blossoms. Happy 

 enough it looks when thus seen through some opening in the bush, its deep-red breast-feathers lit 

 up by the slanting rays of the declining sun. Sated at last, it cleanses its huge beak against a 

 neighbouring bough; then, with grateful clatter glides off to join its fellows. Not only does it 

 regale on flowers and insect food. In the Fagus forests, in the bark of the black birch trees may 

 be found a dull red fleshy-looking grub, tightly embedded in the hard bark, quite beneath the 

 black velvety moss that wraps the Fagus like a pall. The wound made by this unsightly insect, 

 causes in spring time a sweet honey-like exudation, most frequently taking the form of a fine 

 white filament, terminating in a small white globule, glistening like a dewdrop; glancing 

 upwards, the tall straight-grown stem appears spangled with multitudes of these bright threaded 

 beads. This is a favourite feeding-ground of several arboreals. Of these hungry climbers, the 

 Kaka occupies the foremost rank for size ; its hold on the bole of the tree is secure, its move- 

 ments deliberate, whilst its thick tongue is actively employed in gathering the honeyed meal." 



Mr. Buchanan, of the Geological Survey Department, informs me that he has seen the Kaka 

 stripping off the bark from a green tree {Panax colensoi\ and sucking up with its tongue the 

 gummy matter underneath, in the same manner that it extracts the honey from the flowers of the 

 Phormium tenax. 



When migrating from one part of the country to another, the Kakas travel in parties of three 

 or more, and generally at a considerable height, their flight being slow and measured, and their 

 course a direct one. They occasionally alight, as if for the purpose of resting, and in a few 

 minutes resume their laboured flight again. On these occasions the bleached and bare limbs of a 

 dry tree are always selected, when one of the requisite elevation is within reach, as affording most 

 fully that which they appear to delight in, an unobstructed prospect. On a near view, the bril- 



