noise fchey made was like distant thunder. The cry of an individual bird is a hoarse eroak, varied by a discordant 
shriek when it is angry or hungry; when heard during the night it resembles very closely the gobble of a 
turkey. " When quiet ly feeding," Baron A. von 11 iigel says, " they indulge in a series of the most perfect porcine 
squeals and grunts. It is really as like a young pig as anything can be." 
Perhaps no better idea of the life of a Kakapo can be given than is found in Mr. Beischek's account of 
liis on n observations. Lie says : " hi April, 188 1, T found under the root of a red birch in a burrow two young 
K;ikapos, covered with white down. During the same month I found several other young birds of this species. 
So late in the season as the 12th May Mr. Docherty found a Kakapo's nest, containing a female sitting upon an 
egg, with ;i chick just hatched. lie kindly pointed out the nest, which I measured. The burrow had an entrance 
from both sides and two compartments. Both entrances led to the first compartment, the second and deeper 
chamber being connected with tin; first by a small burrow of about a foot. The nest was in the outer compart- 
ment, and was guarded by very strong rocks, rendering it difficult to open it. The distance from the entrances to 
the nest was two feet and three feet respectively. The first chamber was twenty-four inches by eighteen inches, 
and twelve inches hiirh. The nest was formed by a deepening lined by wood dust, ground by the bird as fine as 
sawdust, and leathers, w hich the female had evidently plucked from her own breast, which was quite bare. From 
my observations, I am of opinion that the male bird takes no part in the hatching or rearing of the chicks, 
as in all cases the female w as the sole attendant from first to last. I did not see a male near a breeding burrow, nor 
did I in any single instance find two grown-up birds in one burrow, though T have seen them in pairs on their 
nocturnal rambles. Whenever two males meet they fight, the death of the weaker sometimes resulting. The 
female is much the smaller (probably about three-fourths the weight) and duller in plumage. These bush 
Kakapos are very common in various parts of the Sound district. ... I was particularly anxious to observe 
the manner in which the Ivakapos make their tracks; I therefore hid myself on several occasions inclose 
proximity to one of the tracks, and in such a position that I could see every bird as it passed along. It was 
very amusing to watch these creatures — generally one at a time — coming along the track feeding and giving a 
passing peck at any root or twig that might be in the way. Thus the tracks are always kept clean ; in fact, they 
very much resemble the native tracks, with the exception that they are rather narrower, being from eight to 
fourteen inches wide. The Ivakapos generally select the tops of spurs for the formation of their tracks. . . . 
When snow fell they travelled on the surface of the frozen snow, and their tracks were soon plainly visible, 
though not more than an inch below the level of the surrounding snow. In many places the scrub, which 
consists of silver pine, akeake, and other alpine vegetation, is so dense that the snow cannot penetrate it. The 
BLakapos take advantage of this to make their habitations under the snow-covered scrub, where they are both 
dry and warm. The Kakapos leave their burrows after sunset, and return before daylight. If they cannot reach 
their own home during the darkness, they will shelter in any burrow which may be unoccupied, as they travel 
long distances. They consume large quantities of food, which consists of grass, grass seeds, and other alpine 
vegetation. In July they are in splendid condition, those found having as much as two inches of fat on them. 
In the spring, w hen the son begins to shed its warmth, the Kakapos emerge from their burrows and select some 
favourable spots in the sunshine, where they crouch down and remain the whole day. In September I selected a 
suitable day for observing this peculiarity. The snow had disappeared from all the sunny places. I found three 
birds in different places sitting upon low silver pine scrub. They took no notice of my approach until I had them 
safely in my hand, when they endeavoured to release themselves by biting and scratching." 
Sir ( reoru'e Cirey says : " The Kakapo is a very clever, intelligent bird, in fact, singularly so ; contracts 
a strong affection for those who are kind to it ; shows its affection by climbing about and rubbing itself against 
its friend, and is eminently a playful and social bird ; indeed, were it not for its dirty habits, it would make a far 
better pet than any 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." 
Food: Vegetable mosses, berries of the tutu (coraria sarmentosa), bracken fronds (ptei*is aqvilina), 
insects, twigs of the New Zealand broom (coemichellio). In captivity they are omnivorous. 
Nidi ficat ion takes place between February and May, when two or three white eggs are laid, about the 
