189 
hatched. He 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 the first by a small burrow of about a foot. The nest was in 
the outer compartment, 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 high ; the inner compartment was 
fourteen inches by twelve inches, and only six inches high. The nest was formed by a deepening, 
lined with wood-dust, ground by the bird as fine as sawdust, and feathers, which 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 the rearing of the chicks, as in all cases 
the female was 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 I 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 Sounds district. . . . 
I was particularly anxious to observe the manner in which the Kakapos make their tracks ; I there- 
fore hid myself on several occasions in 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 Kakapos generally select the tops of spurs for the formation of their tracks. I was curious to 
know how the birds would manage when their tracks should be covered with snow. Opportunities 
were afforded of satisfying my curiosity. I found that they travelled on the surface of the frozen 
snow, and that 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 Kakapos take advantage 
of this to make their habitations under the snow-covered scrub, where it is 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-seed, 
and other alpine vegetation. In July they are in splendid condition, those found having as much as 
two inches of fat upon them. I was much surprised and interested to find in the intestines of the 
old birds parasites from six inches to two feet long. These parasites are flat, about a quarter of an 
inch wide, milky white, and jointed very closely. I have found three of these parasites knotted 
together and many single ones tied in three or four knots. 
“ In the spring, when the sun 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.” 
On two occasions I have myself kept a live Kakapo, for the purpose of studying its habits. My 
first bird was somewhat vicious and would not allow itself to he handled. It had a great penchant 
for raw potato, of which it could stow away a surprising quantity. It was an adult bird when caught 
and did not long survive the complete change in its condition of life. My other Kakapo was brought 
to me as a young bird, being readily distinguishable as such by its dark cheeks, with little or no 
