254 CAS ARC A VARIEGATA 



least during the breeding season, but this species leads them all in strength and corn- 

 bativeness. All aviculturalists have dilated on this characteristic. Here again the fe- 

 male takes the initiative, egging her mate on with loud calls and excited movements. 



The nest is probably always in a covered situation, though Buller (1888), in con- 

 trast to most observers, says the nest is generally placed among reeds and tussocks 

 near the water's edge. This seems very unlikely for a bird of this genus, especially 

 as there is ample evidence from other writers that they nest on cliffs or in holes of 

 trees. One described by Potts (1870) was fifteen feet from the ground in a black 

 birch. Others were in the shelter of huge tussocks or in holes in rocks (Potts, 1870). 

 Harvie-Brown (Ibis, ser. 3, vol. 4, p. 96, 1874) speaks of a nearly inaccessible nest in 

 a horizontal fissure, fifty feet from the ground and fifty miles inland on the Waiko 

 River. Buller (1888) himself found one breeding in a cavern in the face of a sandstone 

 cliff overhanging a river. 



Clutches have been described as containing five, eight, nine, and even eleven 

 eggs, but the average seems to be seven or eight. A brood of thirteen young men- 

 tioned by Buller (1905) may easily have been the work of two females, or the as- 

 sociation of two broods after hatching. The eggs are yellowish cream-color, measur- 

 ing 65 by 47 mm. The incubation period is thirty to thirty-one days. A not very 

 viable clutch hatched under a hen in thirty days (Rogeron, Bull. Soc. d'Acclimat. 

 Paris, ser. 4, vol. 2, p. 151, 1885). Instances of the supposed carrying of the young by 

 the female are given by Buller (1888). 



A minute account of the behavior of a partially tame pair on the seacoast during 

 the laying period is given by Henry (Emu, vol. 6, p. 171, 1907), a brief resume of 

 which must suffice here. On September 20 the female began examining holes in 

 banks and old stumps. About a week later she was missed, and the first egg was 

 probably deposited at that time. During her absence the male called continually 

 for her. He stayed close to the spot where he was fed, and would meet the female 

 when he heard her coming from the nesting place. The pair had a joyous greeting 

 in the cove, and the male would then conduct his mate to the food-box, standing 

 by without eating a grain, until she had finished her meal. On each day she stayed 

 away a little longer and the male continued to guard the food, chasing away Teal, 

 Cormorants, Gulls and Wood-hens (Giant Rails). Henry was sure the female 

 was nesting in a hole, as her white head was soiled with earth. About thirty-one 

 days after the female started to sit she called in a great hurry and took the male 

 away with her. Nothing was seen of them the two following days, which were stormy 

 and wet. Then the pair reappeared with four newly hatched young, which the male 

 guarded with extreme solicitude, for the notorious Wood-hens were ever ready to 

 snatch the young. They spent that night on the open beach, apparently afraid to 

 enter the scrub, though the weather was cold and stormy. The next morning the 

 pair mustered up sufficient courage to bring the young to the observer's yard. The 



