Of this species the Colonial Museum, at the time of my departure from the Colony, con- 

 tained a skeleton, but no skin. I fortunately possess a fine series which was collected 

 for me, as I have already explained, prior to the issue of the Order in Council protecting 

 the bird. Several skins and skeletons have reached Europe but, so far as I am aware, no 

 living example. Knowing that the Zoological Society of London was most anxious to procure 

 this species, I instructed my local agent to bring me a living pair, which he succeeded 

 in doing. The Kiwi having in the meantime become a "protected bird," I applied to the 

 Government for the necessary permission under the Act, explaining at the same time that 

 I had procured the birds at my own expense as a gift to a Society of high scientific status, 

 and one which had always been ready to do anything in its power to benefit New Zealand. 

 I assumed, as a matter of course, that a permit would be granted ; but, to my surprise and 

 regret, the then Minister of Education considered it his duty to refuse my request, and I 

 accordingly ordered the birds to be turned loose again. The Minister acted, as I was informed, 

 on the advice of a permanent Under-Secretary possessed, apparently, of more zeal than in- 

 telligence. The inconsistency of the matter lies in the fact that a brisk trade in these birds was 

 going on, at the time, under the very nose of the authorities, living specimens from Nelson being 

 hawked about in Wellington, without any attempt to stop it. 



My Stewart-Island collector, Mr. Marklund, who is a very observant man, has sent me 

 many notes on this species : "At the end of July I came down from the hills ; and on this trip 

 I found that the Kiwis were moving down to the lower country — probably for nesting purposes. 

 I should also mention — although it may be already known to you — that I have determined 

 which of the cries are used by either sex. After some practice with a leaf of wild flax held 

 in a certain position between my two thumbs, I can fairly well imitate their cry. I have 

 discovered that the best time for these birds is a moonlight night, with the sky somewhat 

 overcast. If it is too light, the birds will not leave the scrub. They also object to rainy 

 weather. Though apparently insensible to pain when attacked by a dog, they are naturally 

 very timid. If the moon is bright, their own shadow will sometimes cause them uneasiness; 

 indeed, I have seen one make a kick at its own shadow on the ground, accompanied by that 

 peculiar hissing sound they make when confined in a pen. I have noticed also that a smaller 

 bird will always run as hard as his legs will carry him, at the least show of anger from a 

 larger and stronger one. By imitating their cry — the deep rasping one being the more successful 

 — I have always had the clear shrill one in response. If in the close neighbourhood, I would 

 then send the dog in, and it would always turn out to be a male. The male is generally 

 ready to answer, especially if it does not happen to know where its mate is, but the female is 

 more independent, and often takes no notice whatever of the call. With this bird the ordinary 

 relationship between the sexes appears to be reversed; for instance, it is the female that 

 undertakes the defence of the house and home, for the male gives in after a very slight struggle ; 

 but the male is the faster runner of the two. After the young bird is big enough to follow its 

 parents, the male (not the female) seems to take special charge of it. The male has a high shrill 

 cry ; the female utters a low hoarse note — between a cry and a hiss. In one case I heard the 

 male uttering the cackling noise — like a hen with chicks — but that may be common to both 

 sexes. Although a nocturnal bird, its sight is weak even at night, for I have seen them running 

 against objects that could easily have been avoided; but their hearing and sense of smell are very 

 acute. By going against the wind I have got to within 10 feet of them and seen them feeding. 

 They do not confine themselves to worms, but will also take any kind of vegetable matter 

 available — for example, the young shoots of a very common alpine orchid. I have found three 

 different kinds of seed and a small white berry (of which I have not yet seen the plant) in 

 the stomachs of those I have opened. Enclosed you will find some of the seeds on which 



