x^^- : 



Ordeb STBIGIFOBMES.] 



[Family BUBONIDiE. 



NINOX NOVJE-ZEALANDIJE. 



(NEW-ZEALAND OWL.) 



Spiloglaux novae-zealandiae (Gmelin), Buller, Birds of New Zealand, vol. i., p. 192. 



The Morepork is so strictly nocturnal in its habits that I ought to make special mention 

 of one which has taken up its abode in a small clump of bush near my homestead on the 

 Papaitonga Lake. This bird may be heard calling at all hours of the day, even in the 

 broad daylight, and is frequently visible as he moves noiselessly from tree to tree. In this 

 little bush reserve I have endeavoured to cultivate the native flora from all parts of the 

 Island, and the Maoris facetiously say that this particular Owl has stationed himself there 

 to keep guard over " Maui's Garden." This diurnal character is quite exceptional, although 

 even in my own garden on Wellington Terrace, I have known a Morepork on a dull afternoon, 

 but in broad daylight, truss a Sparrow in its talons and bear it ofi, causing consternation 

 to the whole community of Sparrows far and wide. The latter undoubtedly have the power 

 of conveying information to one another, and assemble accordingly in a sort of noisy 

 indignation meeting. 



I have found this little Owl very numerous in the Fagus forests of the interior, its 

 nervous call always commencing as soon as the gloom of evening covers the silent woods.* 

 During wet nights it appears to feed on the large brown beetle (Prionoplus reticularis), which 

 flies in the rain. 



I have recorded (2nd ed., vol. i., p. 193) a partial albino of this species. An intelligent 

 young half-caste informs me that he saw a snow-white one at Hokianga. It was in the 

 day-time, and he followed it a considerable distance through the woods, hoping to secure 

 it, but without success. 



As late as February 3rd I have heard young Owls in my garden at Papaitonga uttering 

 their long-drawn sibilant note, then beginning to change into a scream. 



Writing of the Owl on Lord Howe Island, Mr. North says : — " Some of the New Zealand 

 specimens come very close to the Lord Howe Island birds, but lack the white face, lores 

 and chin. Should they eventually prove to be identical, this will form an interesting link, 

 connecting the avifauna of the two islands. The Norfolk Island bird is said to be Ninox 

 boobook, but it is more likely to prove to be Ninox novce-zealandice, or perhaps the present 

 species (N. albaria)." 



* The clearness with which this bird enunciates the words from which it takes its popular name has given 

 rise to a good many amusing stories. The last one, taken from a recently published book, has found its way 

 into the London newspapers and gone the usual round : — " There is in New Zealand an Owl which, from the 

 cry it utters with startling clearness, is known by the Colonists as the ' Morepork.' A few months ago two young 

 Englishmen built a log-hut in the bush. They were quite alone, and for a time they had no meat, except the 

 flesh of wild hogs, which were brought to them by friendly Maoris. Of this they became as weary as did the 

 rebellious Israelites of their Quail. One night, after both had turned in, one of them called out, ' I say, 

 what have we got for breakfast?' Instantly a solemn voice out of the darkness answered him, 'More pork! More 

 pork ! ! ' The settler ran to the window and looked out. He had heard the bird before, and seen it, but he had 

 no idea what manner of fowl it might be. There was the speaker, almost within arm's reach. ' Well, I'm blessed,' 

 he called to his brother ; ' 'tisn't a nawk, and 'tisn't a neagle ; it's a nowl ! ' " 



