22 THE HUMAN SIDE OF BIRDS 



the owl with those of the parrot. The plumage 

 has that rich green which predominates in the par- 

 rot family, with the dark-brown markings and 

 transverse bars, trimmed in pale yellow so common 

 to most all owls. This bird might have been treated 

 under the chapter on mimics as its colourings cor- 

 respond exactly with its surroundings. Mr. Wood 

 says : "I could not help being struck by the circum- 

 stance which, no doubt, is observable when the bird 

 is in its native haunts, that its colours are absolutely 

 the same as those which immediately surround the 

 bird; the green colour being that of the grass, the 

 yellow dashes the same as the oats and other green 

 on which the bird feeds, and the blackish-brown 

 bars imitating the soft mould of the earth." 



The kakapo is nocturnal in habits. During the 

 day it sleeps in caves in the ground, or very rarely 

 in trees in a dark forest. If disturbed, it will hide 

 in caves or under rocks and grass; but at night it 

 comes out and is very lively as it feeds on grass, 

 vegetables, seeds and roots. If pleased with its 

 food, it continually grunts, like a pig. Its nests 

 are very diflScult to find, as they are located in deep 

 caves, or under rocks. The kakapo is probably ex- 

 tinct by this time as the wild dogs of New Zealand 

 delight in hunting and destroying it. 



Many ground-builders seek burrows already pre- 



