12 The Giant Birds of New Zealand. [ January, 
uals, however, in many parts of the country. The position filled 
by the mammals in other lands is there occupied by the feath- 
ered tribes, which reached a surprising development, not only in 
the living, but more markedly in the extinct fauna. 
New Zealand is geologically very old, and probably the rem- 
nant of a large continent that has now mostly disappeared be- 
neath the sea; its connection with other lands seems to have 
been severed before the appearance of mammals on the earth. 
The birds being the highest form of life on the ancient continent, 
became concentrated on the remaining islands, which retained 
many unique and peculiar forms unknown in other portions of 
the globe. 
Like all the islands of the southern hemisphere, the shores of 
New Zealand are visited by immense numbers of the widely- 
spread sea-birds, including the great albatross, the largest bird 
that flies. On the land there are many varied and beautiful 
forms, including, as in other countries, hawks, owls, pigeons, 
ducks, ete., together with a large number of smaller birds, as 
thrushes, starlings, and honey-eaters ; among the last is found 
the beautiful tui or parson bird, as it is often called from the 
two tufts of white feathers on the throat. Besides these there 
are other remarkable birds, some of which are very poor of flight, 
and still others that are wingless, which are peculiar to New 
Zealand, and of special interest. 
Among the numerous parrots the most curious is the kakapo, 
a large green bird, that, contrary to the usual habits of its tribe, 
lives on the ground, and, having very poorly developed wings, 
seldom takes to flight ; as it is unable to escape from its enemies, 
or procure its food in the usual way, it remains concealed during 
the day in the crevices of the rocks, and is most active during the 
night. 
The rails afford a number of interesting species, among which 
are the weka and the pukeko, as they are called by the natives ; 
‘these were both very abundant at one time, but are now becom- 
ing scarce. The weka, or wood hen, is about the size of a com- 
mon fowl, of a yellowish-brown color, and inhabits the forest and 
fern thickets. Its peculiarity is the almost total lack of wings, 
these being very rudimentary and useless for flight. The weka 
is the most common of the brevipennate birds of New Zealand, 
which approach in their habits the character of the lower mam- 
mals. The Notornis is another wingless rail, that is especially 
interesting, as but two individuals are known, which are supposed 
