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Sir George Grey, two years later, sent the following interesting account of the Kakapo to Mr. 
Gould, who gave it a place in the Appendix to his 4 Birds of Australia ’ : — 
“ During the day it remains hid in holes under the roots of trees or rocks, or, very rarely, perched 
on the boughs ot trees with a very dense thick foliage. At these times it appears stupid from its 
profound sleep, and if disturbed or taken from its hole immediately runs and tries to hide itself 
again, delighting, if practicable, to cover itself in a heap of soft dry grass ; about sunset it becomes 
lively, animated, and playful, issues forth from its retreat, and feeds on grass, weeds, vegetables, 
fruit, seeds, and roots. When eating grass it rather grazes than feeds, nibbling the grass in the 
manner of a rabbit or wombat. It sometimes climbs trees, but generally remains upon the ground, 
and only uses its short wings for the purpose of aiding its progress when running, balancing itself 
when on a tree or in making a short descent, half-jump, half-flight, from a higher to a lower bough. 
When feeding, if pleased with its food, it makes a continued grunting noise. It is a greedy bird 
and choice in its food, showing an evident relish for any thing of which it is fond. It cries 
repeatedly during the night, with a noise not very unlike that of the Kaka (Nestor meridionalis), but 
not so loud. 
“ The Kakapo is a very clever and intelligent bird — in fact, singularly so ; contracts a strong 
affection for those who are kind to it ; shows its attachment by climbing about and rubbing itself 
against its friend, and is eminently a social and playful 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. 
“ It builds in holes under trees and rocks, and lays two or three white eggs, about the size of a 
pullet’s, in the month of February ; and the young birds are found in March. At present (1854) the 
bird is known to exist only in the Middle Island of New Zealand, on the west coast, between Chalky 
Harbour and Jackson’s Bay, and in the Northern Island about the sources of the Wanganui and in 
part of the Taupo countries. It was, within the recollection of the old people, abundant in every 
part of New Zealand ; and they say it has been exterminated by the cats introduced by the Europeans, 
which are now found wild and in great numbers in every part of the country. They say also that 
the large rat introduced from Europe has done its part in the work of destruction. 
“ ^ ie natives assert that, when the breeding-season is over, the Kakapo lives in societies of five 
or six in the same hole ; and they say it is a provident bird, and lays up in the fine season a store of 
fein-root for the bad weather. I have had five or six of the birds in captivity, but never succeeded in 
keeping them alive for more than eighteen months or two years. The last I had I sent home as 
a present to the Zoological Society ; but it died off Cape Horn.” 
Mr. G. S. Sale (now Professor of Classics iu the New-Zealand University) succeeded, in 1870, in 
bringing, for the first time, to England a live specimen of the Kakapo. This bird was deposited for 
a short period in the gardens of the Zoological Society, and excited much interest *. An excellent 
portrait of it appeared in the ‘Field’ newspaper of October 15, 1870, accompanied by a short article 
on the subject, in which the readers of that journal were informed that “ unfortunately for the gratifi- 
cation of the curiosity of visitors, the Kakapo in the gardens obstinately persists in indulging in its 
nocturnal habits. During the day it remains concealed ; and it is only at night, when the visitors 
have departed, that the singular movements and habits of this animal can be studied with advantage.” 
This notice called forth a letter f from Mr. Sale, the owner of the bird, in which further interesting 
particulars of its history are recorded. After explaining that the bird had been in his possession for 
several months before he deposited it in the gardens, and that he had carefully observed its habits, 
Mr. Sale continues : — “ Sir G. Grey exactly hit the chief characteristics of the Kakapo when he 
* The Council of the Society offered a sum of £50 for this bird, but were unable to come to terms with the owner, 
f ‘ Held ’ newspaper, November 12, 1870. 
