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only in the evenings. Its cry is a peculiar kind of laugh in a descending scale, and is very ridiculous 
to hear. I saw it twice by the light of the fire.” But he afterwards found reason to modify this 
opinion (Ibis, 1874, p. 35). My own belief is that there has been some misconception on this 
point, and that the “ series of dismal shrieks, frequently repeated, waking the tired sleeper with 
almost a shudder,” as described by one writer on the subject, are not due to this Owl, but probably 
to a nocturnal species of Petrel ( Procellaria affinis ) ; for during the very long periods that captive 
birds were kept by Mr. Smith and myself, although habitually noisy, they were never guilty of 
this “ convulsive shout of insanity.” That they do, however, when on the wing produce a sound 
not unlike laughter, is beyond question ; and when several of them are hunting together they seem 
to laugh in unison. This is specially noticeable on very dark nights. 
Mr. Enys informs me that it has been seen at the Bealey Police Station (in the Southern Alps), 
and that it sometimes utters a note “ something like that of the Morepork, but just as if he had his 
mouth full.” 
Mr. W. W. Smith, formerly residing on the Albury estate near Timaru, and now settled at the 
Ashburton, has sent me from time to time very interesting notes on this rare Owl. He has not only 
been exceptionally fortunate in getting specimens, but he has likewise been successful in his 
endeavours to make them breed in captivity. The following extracts from one of his earliest com- 
munications on the subject (already published by me in the Trans. N.-Z. Instit. vol. xvi. pp. 308-311) 
will show what a good observer Mr. Smith is, and how keen his love of natural history. I have 
received many letters from him since, all replete with interesting facts, chiefly relating to this species ; 
and I am also indebted to him for several fine specimens of the bird, together with the eggs and a 
newly-hatched chick : — 
“ February 8, 1882. In compliance with your request 1 have much pleasure in writing a short 
account of my experience in trying to breed the Laughing-Owl. The drawing of the bird made a 
great impression on me when I saw it for the first time in your ‘ Birds of New Zealand,’ and since 
then I had been searching for over five years, trying to procure a specimen ; but I was never successful 
until April of last year, when I succeeded in finding a very handsome one. In June I found another 
pair ; and again in September I found two more. They have been a great source of pleasure and 
instruction to me. I found the birds in fissures of the limestone rocks at this place (Albury), but 
they are certainly very difficult to find. I first discovered that they were about the rocks by finding- 
several fresh pellets, and being anxious to secure a specimen, I procured long wires and felt in the 
crevices, but with no good results. I, however, discovered a plan which proved successful. I 
collected a quantity of dry tussock grass and burned it in the crevices, filling them with smoke. 
After trying a few crannies, I found the hiding-place of one, and, after starting the grass, I soon heard 
him sniffing. I withdrew the burning grass, and when the smoke had partly cleared away, he 
walked quietly out, and I secured him. I obtained four birds by this means. I explained in a 
former letter how very tame they became in a short while after being captured. I also mentioned 
their call, which varies considerably during the year. When I captured the second pair (male and 
female) their call for a long time, in waking up in the evening, was, as formerly stated, precisely the 
same as two men ‘ cooeying ’ to each other from a distance. The voice of the male is much harsher and 
stronger than that of the female, and he is also a much larger and stronger bird. During the period of 
hatching he is very attentive in supplying his mate with food, as no sooner had the food been put into 
the large apartment of their house, than he would regularly carry every morsel into the dark recess ; 
when feeding her she would utter a low peevish twitter and rise off her eggs. I may here correct a 
mistake which I made in writing to you on a former occasion. I stated that ‘ the male sits by day, 
the female by night.’ I only saw the male twice on the eggs, and it was at this time I wrote the 
letter ; but I certainly was mistaken, as the female performs most of the duty of hatching. I also 
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