THE OWL PARROT 
405 
The name given to the cnrions bird now before us is a very appropriate one, as the 
creature seems to partake equally of the natures of the Owl and the Parrot. 
Even in its habits it has much of the Owl nature, being as strictly nocturnal as any of 
those birds. During the daytime it conceals itself in holes, under the stumps of trees, and 
similar localities, and seldom being seen except after sunset. The natives of New Zealand, 
where it is found, say that during the winter months the Owl Paeeots assemble together in 
great numbers, collecting themselves into certain large caverns, and that while arranging for 
their winter-quarters, and be- 
fore dispersing for the sum- 
mer, they become very noisy, 
and raise a deafening clamor. 
The Owl Parrot is weak 
of wing and seldom trusts 
itself to the air, taking but a 
very short flight whenever it 
rises from the ground. Neither 
is it seen much in trees, pre- 
ferring to inhabit the ground, 
and making regular paths to 
and from its nest, by means 
of which its habitation may 
be discovered by one who 
knows the habits of the bird. 
These tracks are about a foot 
in width, and so closely re- 
semble the paths worn by the 
footsteps of human beings 
that they have been mistaken 
for such by travellers. 
The food of this bird 
is mostly obtained on the 
ground, and consists of ten- 
der twigs, leaves, and roots, 
which it digs up with its 
curved bill, covering that 
useful organ with earth and 
mud. The eggs of the Owl 
Parrot are merely laid upon 
some decaying wood in the same hollows wherein the bird sleeps during the day. Their 
number is two, although three are sometimes found. The breeding season commences in 
February. The natives distinguish this bird by the name of Kakapo. 
It is a very large bird, nearly equalling the eagle owl in dimensions ; and, like that bird, 
standing very upright on its legs. The general color of the plumage is darkish green profusely 
mottled with black, and sparingly dashed with yellow. Under the eye is a patch of yellow- 
green. The beak is long and curved,- very like that of an owl, and it is nearly concealed 
by the stiff bristles with which it is surrounded, and many of which cross each other at the 
tips over the bill. The abdomen is green of a yellower hue than the upper parts of the body, 
crossed with a few very faint bars of a darker hue. The tail is also green, but marked with 
brown. 
OWL PARROT —Stringops habroptilus. 
Accoedhstg to some authors, the Aratoo, already described on a previous page, is closely 
connected with the very remarkable bird called Presquef s Dasyptilus. 
As in the case of the previous species we find an example of a Parrot following the owl 
type in its form and many of its habits, we have here an instance of another Parrot bearing a 
