BIRDS 
character of the common British owl. Its habits 
are the same : it conceals itself in holes of trees, 
OF in the deep shelter of the woods, during the 
day, and goes out at night to seek for its prey. 
Its name has been given to it as an imitation 
of its cry. 
Powaitere — A Parrot, or Paroquet. — Of these 
birds there are several kinds ; all of them small, 
though differing in size ; and, with the exception 
of the Kaka, are nearly the same in plumage — a 
bright green ; yellow or red under the throat and 
tail; and red or yellow about the head. They 
seem to differ nothing from the parrots of New 
South- Wales and the East in their general cha- 
racter, being mischievous, chattering, and fond of 
imitation. They build their nests in holes of 
trees, and associate in flocks. 
Kaka — -A bird of the parrot kind ; much larger 
than any other New-Zealand parrot; but pos- 
sessing all their mischievous qualities, and capa- 
ble of learning to imitate the human voice to an 
astonishing degree. Its feathers are of a dark 
russet colour : round the neck, upon the thighs, 
and under the tail, beautifully tinged and spotted 
with deep red. It has a large round dark eye ; 
and the feathers encircling it are shaded with a 
mixture of yellow and red. This bird feeds upon 
all kinds of fruit, berries, and farinaceous roots. 
It bites holes in trees, in wdiich it makes its nest ; 
laying four, and sometimes five, eggs, perfectly 
white. Generally, three of these birds are found 
