172 



the head lowered, with the point of the beak slightly depressed ; if pursued, it turns and doubles, 

 rapidly availing itself of any shelter in which to find refuge. It regains confidence quite as 

 readily as it exhibits fear, and if left in peace emerges from its place of concealment with the 

 same coolness of demeanour that usually distinguishes it. I have caught a whole family of them, 

 old and young; after being released they started off, but returned soon afterwards with their 

 ordinary air of inquisitiveness. When two males quarrel, they fight with determination, some- 

 times coming out into the open ground ; the victor becomes a relentless persecutor, driving off 

 his antagonist at every opportunity; on these occasions one can appreciate the speed and alertness 

 which both pursuer and pursued display in getting over the ground and threading the interlaced 

 maze of shrubs and grassy tussocks. Although mercilessly persecuted, this Ishmael amongst birds 

 may be found or heard in most up-country districts, but in greatly diminished numbers. The 

 size of the AVekas that are now usually met with is much smaller than it used to be : a 4-lb. 

 bird is noAv almost unknown; yet, years ago, such a weight was not an uncommon one for a fine 

 hill-bird. The greatest sin we can lay to its charge is the ruthless manner in which it destroys 

 ducks' eggs, a practice in which it is second only to the Harrier. It is, moreover, very destructive 

 to poultry. I have seen it kill a well-grown Spanish chicken, six weeks old, with one blow of its 

 powerful bill. So many choice Dorking chickens has it carried off" that I have been compelled 

 reluctantly to destroy it near our homestead. 



" As an article of food, it is in far less repute than when we first settled here in the days of 

 dear meat. We have since bought sheep at Is. per head — our taste has become more fastidious ; 

 and the Weka is too often only killed for mere wantonness, or the pleasure of taking life. The 

 Maoris of Arowhenua make expeditions in the winter for obtaining a supply of these birds, 

 which they preserve in their own fat. On one run, near Burke's Pass, I have been told that over 

 two thousand Wekas were secured by a party of natives at one of these hunts. Numbers are 

 also killed by the settlers for their oil, which is much esteemed for dressing saddle-straps and for 

 a variety of purposes. 



" It is generally distributed over the Canterbury Province, and I do not know any place 

 except near the towns where its loud and rather melancholy call is not more or less frequently 

 heard. Its thievish propensities render it sometimes very troublesome. I have known 

 it carry ofi* a merschaum-pipe, spoons, pannikins, boxes of matches; and on one occasion, in 

 Alford Forest, it actually stole a watch from a bushman's hut. But the Weka, unlike the Jack- 

 daw, does not appear to care for a secret hiding-place in which to deposit its pilferings, and the 

 stolen watch was fortunately recovered, although only by mere accident. The loud screaming of 

 this bird is most frequently heard at night and before rain. The young I have seen early in 

 October, The nest is found in a variety of situations, such as in a tuft of Celmisia^ under a grass 

 tussock, or sometimes in a thicket of young plants on the outskirts of the bush. I have even 

 observed it under the shelter of a rock, without any attempt at concealment, which the tussocks 

 growing close by would have afforded. Grass is usually the staple material of its home, which is 

 large and basin-shaped within. The colour of the down of the young affords a fair indication of 

 their age, the darker shade of brown characterizing extreme youth ; yet the lighter shade, which 

 their plumage gradually assumes, offers great variety. Whilst being led forth hunting, the brood 





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