46 



epiphytic vegetation in their eager search for insects and their larvse. In the spring and summer, 

 when the woods are full of wild blossom and berry, these birds have a prodigality of food, and 

 may be seen alternately filling their crops with a variety of juicy berries, or sucking nectar from 

 the crimson flowers of the rata (Metrosideros robusta — a flowering branch of which is depicted in 

 the Plate) by means of their brush-fringed tongues. 



With the earliest streaks of dawn, and while the underwoods are still wrapped in darkness, 

 the wild cry of this bird breaks upon the ear with a strange effect. It is the sound that wakes 

 the weary traveller encamped in the bush ; and the announcement of his ever active Maori 

 attendant " Kua tangi te Kaka," is an intimation that it is time to be astir. But although 

 habitually recluse during the day, it is not always so. During gloomy weather it is often very 

 active ; and, sometimes, even in the bright sunshine a score of them may be seen together, flying 

 and circling about, high above the tree-tops, uttering their loud screams and apparently bent on 

 convivial amusement. When the shades of evening bring a deeper gloom into the depths of the 

 forest, and all sounds are hushed, save the low hoot of the waking Morepork, or the occasional 

 cheep-cheep of the startled Robin, the Kaka becomes more animated. It may then be heard 

 calling to its fellows in a harsh rasping note, something like the syllables " t-chrut, t-chrut," or 

 indulging in a clear musical whistle with a short refrain. 



It is strictly arboreal in its habits, and subsists to a large extent on insects and their larva?, 

 so that it is probably one of our most useful species. Where they exist in large numbers, they 

 must act very beneficially on the timber-forests ; for in the domain of nature important results are 

 often produced by apparently trivial agencies. Like all the honey-eaters, while supplying their 

 own wants, they do good service with their brush-tongues, by fertilizing the blossoms of various 

 trees, and thus assisting in their propagation ; while, on the other hand, the diligent search they 

 prosecute for insects and grubs, and the countless numbers daily consumed by each individual, 

 must materially affect the economy of the native woods. On this latter point Mr. Potts has 

 furnished the following valuable note : — " Although so often accused of injuring trees by stripping 

 down the bark, from careful observation we do not believe a nourishing tree is ever damaged by 

 its beak. It is the apparently vigorous, but really unsound tree that is attacked, already doomed 

 by the presence of countless multitudes of insects, of many varieties, of which it is at once the 

 food and refuge, either in their perfect or larval state. In the persevering and laborious pursuit 

 of this favourite food, the Kaka, doubtless, lends his assistance in hastening the fall of decaying 

 trees ; the loosened strips of bark dissevered admit to the exposed wood rain and moisture collected 

 from clews and mists, to be dried by evaporation by the heat of the sun, by the desiccating winds, 

 only to become saturated again. Under this alternation the insidious fungi take root, decay 

 rapidly sets in, the close-grained timber gives place to a soft spongy texture, branches drop off, 

 and gradually the once noble-looking tree succumbs to its fate : but its gradual decay and fall, the 

 work of years, has proved beneficial to the surrounding plants ; the dropping of the branches admits 

 light and air to the aspiring saplings, assists in checking the undue spread of lichens and epi- 

 phytes ; and when the old stem falls, tottering down from its very rottenness, its place is supplied 

 by vigorous successors. In estimating the value of the labours of the Kaka as an insect-eater, 

 it should not be forgotten that the family of Woodpeckers is entirely absent from our Avifauna, 

 and that upon this indefatigable climber devolves some share of the duty of representing that 



