20



Sydney Porter—Notes on New Zealand Birds



tlie natives speared the wild birds for eating purposes. The natives

made special perches for the birds, some of them beautifully carved

and inlaid. I saw many of these in different parts of the country ;

they were called tutu-haha. These perches were also used for catching

the birds, a noose being attached which, when the bird alighted, was

pulled by the native who was concealed nearby. Many Kakas were

also kept by the old settlers who stated that they were the most

delightful pets, being very intelligent and full of life. Nowadays, it

is very rare to find a Kaka in captivity. Many people have had them

up to a few years ago, but I only came across one specimen, an

exceedingly fine bird and very tame. I used every endeavour to try

to obtain it, but failed to do so. I am sure that it was the only one

in captivity in New Zealand.


In former years when the whole of New Zealand was covered with

the wonderful sub-tropical forest, Kakas existed in countless thousands,

if not millions, and they formed a goodly percentage of the animal

food of the Maoris. How they were trapped and preserved for future

use is well described by Buller in his Birds of New Zealand. This

work is certainly the finest of any works dealing with the birds of

any single country, and provides a mine of information for the

ornithologist.


In flight, this bird resembles a hawk ; not having the swift direct

flight of most Parrots, it flies with an ease and grace unknown to the

majority of the Parrot tribe. Towards the evening these birds indulge

in wonderful aerial exercises. Rising up from the forest uttering their

harsh, grating cries, they ascend in huge spirals until they are almost

lost to view in the heavens. Often they rise up and sweep round with

hardly a motion of their outstretched pinions. That this Parrot is

semi-nocturnal there is little doubt, for it is active long after dark

has fallen and it can be heard high in the skies far into the night.


I made the acquaintance of the so-called Green Kaka in Stewart

Island. Its name is rather a misnomer for there is no trace of green

in the plumage, and it seems to differ in no way whatever from the

bird of the North Island. It is intensely inquisitive, and one has only

to call or whistle loudly and one is soon surrounded by a dozen or

so Kakas all shrieking and uttering a great variety of sounds, for no



