168 



So shy, indeed, is the latter species, that, notwithstanding its loud shrill cry, it is quite impossible 

 to find it without the aid of a good dog. 



I have on several occasions kept caged Woodhens for a considerable time ; but, although I 

 persevered in one instance for more than two years, I could never succeed in completely domesti- 

 cating them. I was thus afforded, however, an opportunity of studying their character, which 

 may be summed up in two words — pugnacious and gluttonous. The introduction of a piece of 

 red cloth, or other brightly coloured object, was generally sufficient to excite the bird and make 

 its feathers rise ; but the presence of another Weka, whether male or female, would instantly 

 provoke a display of hostility, and after some light skirmishing a fight would ensue, which gene- 

 rally, in the end, proved fatal to the intruder. On one occasion I introduced into the cage a 

 small mirror, and watched the effect : ruffling its feathers and stretching out its neck, the Weka 

 advanced slowly towards the glass, and then made a sudden dash at its supposed adversary, and 

 continued to repeat the attack with so much passion and violence, that I thought it prudent to 

 remove the exciting object, to save the bird from injuring itself. On the charge of gluttony I 

 may say that not only were my captives omnivorous, devouring fish, flesh, and fowl, whether 

 cooked or raw, boiled potato and other vegetables, green fruit, and, in short, every thing within 

 the digestive power of the gizzard, but they also had a most inordinate and voracious appetite. 

 As a proof of this, I may state, by reference to my note-book, that a single bird in the course of 

 two months consumed nearly a hundredweight of cooked potatoes ! In a wild state it subsists on 

 berries of various kinds, with earthworms, grasshoppers, and other insects, while it never loses an 

 opportunity of entombing in its capacious stomach a mouse or lizard. In the South Island 

 Dr. Hector has observed the Woodhens attacking full-grown rats, and Dr. Haast has frequently 

 seen them capture and devour small birds. That they are given to plundering the nests of other 

 birds that build on the ground, devouring alike the eggs and young, is now a well-known fact ; 

 and on this account Sir George Grey has found good reason to regret his too successful attempt 

 to stock his beautiful island home at Kawau with Woodhens from the mainland ! Even here, 

 this doomed species will now no longer find an asylum. 



In spite, however, of the natural wildness of this bird, and the apparent impossibility of 

 fully taming it, in localities contiguous to its native haunts it is sometimes seen mingling with 

 the domestic fowls ; and, however incredible such a fact may appear, there are several well- 

 authenticated instances of its "crossing with the bam-door hen and producing a veritable hybrid ! 

 I saw one of these, many years ago, at a settler's homestead at Waikanae ; and more recently 1 

 carefully examined another in the possession of Dr. Hewson at Otaki. I was informed that 

 Dr. Hildebrand, of the Wairarapa, had a clutch of several from one hen; and several other 

 instances might be cited. The hybrid is covered with a peculiar hairy plumage of a yellowish- 

 brown colour, and unites with a general fowl-like appearance a disproportionately long head, 

 Rail-like legs, and a genuine Weka's tail. 



The peculiar whistling cry of the Woodhen, which is usually commenced at sunset and is 

 continued, more or less, all through the night, is very pleasant to hear. A pair of them usually 

 perform together, calling alternately and in quick succession, the male always taking the lead. 

 He commences with a low whistle, preceded by a guttural sound from the chest (only heard on a 

 very near approach) ; and the call increases in force till it becomes a shrill whistle ; the responsive 

 call of the female is pitched in a different key. 



