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that it frequents ; for instance, in the low flat country, where the ground is damp and has a green 

 mossy surface, there you will find the plumage of the bird green, with streaks of black and 

 scarcely a tinge of yellow. Then, again, in the high country, that is to say, where the bush ends 

 and the snow-grass commences, the general aspect of the vegetation is yellow. There you will 

 find the plumage of the Kakapo more or less suffused with yellow. I remember a party of 

 surveyors getting some on the ranges near the Haast Eiver, the plumage of which was entirely 

 yellow." One such bird was brought to Wellington by a Mr. Bradshaw, of the West Coast, the 

 entire plumage of which was vivid canary yellow, fading to pale yellow on the cheeks and throat ; 

 bill white, and feet flesh-coloured. He declared, on the authority of the Maoris, that it was a 

 distinct species, and he set a value on the skin accordingly. The fourth example of Notornis 



THE HOME OP THE KAKAPO WET JACKET ARM. 



had just been purchased by the Government for M250, and, gauging the value by that trans- 

 action, Bradshaw demanded £500 for his yellow Kakapo. For a year or more it remained locked 

 up in the fireproof safe at the Colonial Museum, and, finally, through the kind offices of Sir James 

 Hector, it came into my son's possession at a considerably lower figure than that named. It 

 would be difficult to imagine a more beautiful bird, although I do not, of course, claim for it more 

 recognition than is due to an accidental variety. It is really a lovely bird and, if I may so 

 express it, of striking personality. It is a female, and was captured in December, 1895.* 



:|: Referring to this specimen, my son writes : " On moving the plumage a beautiful white down is disclosed. It is 

 certainly a lovely bird, quite the most beautiful thing in the bird line I have ever seen " ! 



