﻿W. T. L. Travers.— (9i^ the Habits of Soine New Zealand Birds. 211 



piece. The Kakas, attracted by tlie cries of the decoy, naturally alighted on 

 one of these cross-pieces, and were at once caught. I have known as many as 

 two hundred caught at a single whare in a day. These being plucked were 

 potted down in their own fat, and in that condition kept for a considerable 

 time. The natives always eat the .trail of the Kaka, as we do that of the 

 Woodcock or Snipe. I have not tried it myself, and am unable to pronounce 

 upon the merits of this mode of cooking the bird. 



The habits of the Weka have been noticed in Mr. Potts' interesting papers 

 published in the second and third volumes of the Transactions of the New 

 Zealand Institute, but a few points which he has not mentioned may probably 

 be acceptable. It will have been obsei'ved by those who have examined the 

 structure of this bird, that the metacarpal and phalangial bones are represented 

 by a single sharp spur about half an inch in length. When irritated it extends 

 its wings with the backs turned forward, and it then uses this spur as a weapon 

 of offence. It delights in prowling about the low bushes at the edge of the 

 forest, and on the banks of rivers, creeping along with a stealthy cat-like 

 tread, and preying on any small bird which may come within its reach. It 

 is specially destructive to eggs and yoving poultiy. I have seen a Weka drive 

 its beak into an egg, and then, raising its head to a nearly upright position, 

 run away into the bush with the egg impaled upon it. This bird is easily 

 snared in the following manner : — Tie a small bird to the end of a stick 

 about a yard long ; I generally used a stuffed specimen for the purpose in my 

 exploring excursions. To the end of another stick, slightly longer, fix a run- 

 ning noose of green flax, which keeps well open and slips readily. This noose 

 should be from three to four inches in diameter. Dangle the bird in sight of 

 the Weka, taking some little precaiition to conceal yourself, although but little 

 is reqiiired, except in the case of a very old and knowing bird. When the 

 Weka makes for the dangling bird, place the noose immediately in front of the 

 latter, and as the Weka pecks at the bird through the noose it is easily caught. 

 With a little coolness you cannot fail. When taken into the hand after being 

 first caught, this bird at once discharges a quantity of extremely fetid fsecal 

 matter, whether from fright, or upon the same principle on which the skunk 

 discharges its pestilential fluid, I cannot say. I differ from Mr. Potts in one 

 point, and believe that the Weka, so far from diminishing in numbers, is 

 increasing all over the Middle Island. Even the cattle dogs on my station do 

 not care to kill it. Except in the vicinity of poultry-yards and gardens this 

 bird is very useful, destroying large numbers of noxious grubs, as well as mice 

 and young rats. They pair for the breeding season, the male bird assisting in 

 the work of incubation, and accompanying the female and her young ones 

 ■until the latter are weaned. I have seen seven and eight young ones in a 

 single brood. I may add that many persons, some of whom must be considered 



