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account for this abnormal growth in a wild specimen, obtained by Mr. Lambert at Akaroa, which 
presents the same feature, and in an exaggerated degree, both mandibles being quite deformed. 
It would seem that in this species there is a natural tendency to a deformity of growth in this 
respect. This will be manifest from the drawings of two remarkable examples which I gave in the 
‘Transactions of the New-Zealand Institute’ for 1876 (vol. ix. page 340). 
One of these represents a specimen in the Canterbury Museum ; and the other a case of natural 
deformity in the British Museum, which was brought under my notice by Dr. Gunther. 
The tame Kaka is very susceptible to kindness, and forms strong attachments. It soon learns 
to distinguish its keeper’s voice, and will respond to his call. It often, however, proves a mischievous 
pet, especially if it gets access to the orchard, where I have known it, in a single day, nip off 
thousands of blossoms from a promising pear-tree. I have seen it treat a favourite vine in a similar 
manner and apparently from a sheer love of mischief. 
If it be allowed the freedom of the house, it will destroy the furniture in the most wanton 
manner with its powerful beak and proclaim itself a nuisance in a variety of ways *. 
When the korari-flower ( Phormium tenax) is in season, the Kakas repair in flocks to the flax- 
fields to feast on the flower-honey ; and on these occasions numbers of them are speared by the natives 
as an article of food. In the woods also at certain periods they are captured in abundance by means 
of an ingenious snare called a “ tutu ” worked by a decoy-bird. 
I have seen it climbing among the crimson flower-stalks of the tree-honeysuckle ( Knightia 
excelsa), gathering the honey most carefully with its long brush-fringed tongue. At another season 
it feeds on the pollen of the kowai ( Sophora grandiflora), when the feathers of its head become 
stained with the yellow juice. 
The tame village Kaka is not the useless pet that Parrots generally are. It may amuse the 
young people by its wonderful articulation of Maori words and phrases, and by its whistling powers, 
but it has far more substantial attractions for the owner. It is a source of profit and subsistence to 
him ; and as it requires the experience of several seasons to give it a proficiency as a decoy-bird, 
it acquires a specific value according to its age and training. I have known a native refuse an offer 
of £10 for a well-trained “mokai,” although an aged bird and in a very ragged condition of 
plumage. 
* Mr. W. T. L. Travers writes : — “ The hahits of the Kaka are in many respects remarkable. In its absolutely wild state 
it is fearless and inquisitive. I have often, whilst resting on the banks of a stream which falls into the lake [Guyon], and runs 
through forest frequented by these birds, seen several of them gravely take post upon some trees close to me, eyeing mo with 
the utmost apparent curiosity, and chattering to themselves as if discussing the character and intentions of the intruder. After 
the lapse of a few minutes they have darted away, uttering loud cries, as if proclaiming to the rest of the forest the presence of 
a stranger, who was either to be avoided or not, as the case might be. During the winter season the wild birds often unhesita- 
tingly enter the house for food, making themselves thoroughly at home, and even roosting on the cross-beams in the kitchen on 
specially inclement nights. Two of these in particular soon learnt how to open the door of the dairy, which they were fond of 
getting into, in order to regale themselves on cream and butter, both of which they appeared to like excessively. I have had 
several of those wild birds billing on the eaves of the house in the evening, waiting to be fed, and coming readily to receive 
from the hand pieces of bread spread thickly with butter, and strewed with sugar. But they rarely eat any of the bread itself, 
dropping it as soon as they had cleared off the butter and sugar. If one bird happened to have finished his portion before the 
others, he unhesitatingly helped himself to a share of some neighbour's goods, which was always yielded without the slightest 
demur. They are fond of raw flesh, and I have seen them hovering in front of a sheep’s pluck hung on a tree, precisely as a 
Humming-bird hovers in front of a flower, eating fragments which they tore off, giving the preference to the lungs. When 
anxious to get into the house, they take post on the window-sills and beat at the window with their beaks until admitted. They 
are very mischievous, however, invariably cutting off all the buttons from any article of clothing which may happen to be left 
within their reach. I regret to say, indeed, that in some instances their familiarity degenerated into such gross impudence, 
that my manager was obliged to kill them, in order to prevent their constant mischief.” (Trans. N.-Z. Inst. 1871, vol. iv. 
pp. 209, 210.) 
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