BIRDS 
60 
abound, and are generally larger than in any 
other part of the island. 
Matata — A small dusky-coloured bird, with a 
white and brown spotted breast ; a beak like that 
of the canary-bird ; head long, and covered with 
light and dark-brown spotted feathers. It has 
light brown feet, with four claws. The tail is 
composed of four long and four short feathers, 
similar in texture to those of the Emu and Kiwi. 
It lives amongst the rushes, in swamps ; and has 
a long shrill cry, very piercing, and at times 
melancholy. It is remarkably tame, and seems 
to have no fear of man. 
Kauaua — A sparrow-hawk, nothing differing 
from the sparrow-hawks of England. It is ex- 
ceedingly swift of wing ; and but few birds that 
it pursues can escape its talons. It is very elegant 
in its form and plumage ; and, but for its tiger- 
like propensities, would soon become a petted 
favourite. 
Kahu — A large and powerful bird, of the hawk 
species. It has great strength of wing and talon ; 
and alights with such force upon its prey, as at 
one blow to sever the head from a duck, or to 
slay outright a full-grown turkey. When one of 
these birds makes its appearance, the whole of the 
poultry-yard is put in agitation, and continues in 
a state of great restlessness till it has retired 
out of sight. The general food of this rapacious 
bird is rats and young wild-ducks. It rarely 
visits the barn-door, and never attacks domestic 
