GREY PARROTS— GROUND PARROTS. 331 



some three hours to daylight, I occupied myself in preparing lime sticks and 

 making snares. On the appearance of the first streak of dawn, we proceeded 

 to the tree where a nest was suspected to be. My black man, being a capital 

 climber, went up to the hole, and looking in found two young Parrots, which 

 he carefully tied up in a pocket handkerchief and lowered down to me ; the 

 little things seemed to be about a fortnight old, and readily took some banana 

 I offered them. The old -birds were absent, probably seeking food ; at least, 

 we did not see them. The two young ones we fastened with string to the 

 trunk of the tree, and placed some lime sticks round about them. In this 

 way we caught one of the parent birds, the securing of which was a matter of 

 some difficulty, owing to the resistance it made. We put the freshly caught 

 old bird in a linen bag, and fastened it beside the young ones. In a few 

 minutes our captive began to turn round and round, at the same time 

 screaming vociferously ; this quickly attracted the attention of the Parrots 

 in the neighbourhood, which came near, gazing with astonishment at the 

 bag which contained their mysteriously hidden comrade. One, more bold 

 than the rest, flew down and settled on a limed stick, but its struggles were 

 so violent that it succeeded in getting away. I then took ^n-^ gun and shot 

 two individuals, the others immediately taking flight." 



The last genera of the PsittacidcB are the Ground Parrots (Pezoporus and 

 Geopsittacus) of Australia, and these lead us to the remarkable Kakapo or 

 Owl-Parrot of New Zealand. This is a large bird, of 

 The Owl-Parrot.— green, moss-like plumage, which is remarkable for having 

 Stringops fully developed wings, but which, like other New 



habroptllus. Zealand birds, is incapable of flight. This is shown by 



the sternum of the bird, which has become so reduced 

 that a keel no longer exists, and the bird can no longer fly. Of the habits 

 of this curious Parrot, Sir Walter Buller, the historian of New Zealand 

 birds, writes as follows : — " During the day it remains hid in holes under the 

 roots of trees or rocks, or, very rarely, perched on the boughs of trees with 

 a very dense, thick foliage. At these times it appears stupid from its profound 

 sleep, and if disturbed or taken from its hole, immediately runs and tries to 

 hide itself again, delighting, if practicable, to cover itself in a heap of soft, 

 dry grass. About sunset it becomes lively and animated, and playfully issues 

 forth from its retreat, and feeds on grass, weeds, vegetables, fruits, seeds, 

 and roots. When eating grass it rather grazes than feeds, nibbling the 

 grass in the manner of a rabbit or wombat. It sometimes climbs trees, but 

 generally remains upon the ground, and only uses its short wings for the 

 purpose of aiding its progress when running, balancing itself when on 

 a tree, or in making a short descent, half jump, half flight, from a higher 

 to a lower bough. When feeding, if pleased with its food, it makes a con- 

 tinued grunting noise. It is a greedy bird, and choice in its food, showing 

 an evident relish for anything of which it is fond. It cries repeatedly during 

 the night, with a noise not very unlike that of the Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) , 

 but not so loud. The Kakapo is a very clever and intelligent bird ; in fact, 

 singularly so ; it contracts a strong affection for those who are kind to it, shows 

 its aflfection by climbing about and rubbing itself against its friend, and is 

 eminently a social and playful bird. Indeed, were it not for its dirty habits 

 it would make a far better pet than other bird with which I am acquainted, 

 for its manner of showing its attachment by playfulness and fondling is more 

 like that of a dog than a bird. It builds in holes under trees and rocks, and 

 lays two or three white eggs, about the size of a pullet's, in the month of 



