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PARROTS. 
sunset it becomes lively, animated, and playful, issues forth from its retreat, and 
feeds on grass, weeds, vegetables, fruits, seeds, and roots. When eating grass, 
it grazes rather than feeds, nibbling the grass in the manner of a rabbit or wombat. 
It sometimes climbs trees, but generally remains upon the ground, and only uses 
its short wings for the purpose of aiding its progress when running, balancing 
itself when on a tree, or in making a short descent—half jump, half flight—from 
, \r^~ >> 
\ : /- 
the owl-parrot (f- nat. size). 
an upper to a lower bough. When feeding, if pleased with its food, it makes a 
continued grunting noise. It eats greedily, and is choice in its food, showing an 
evident relish for anything of which it is fond. It cries repeatedly during the 
night, with a noise not very unlike that of the kaka, but not so loud. The kakapo 
is a very clever and intelligent bird, in fact singularly so; contracts a strong 
affection for those who are kind to it; shows its attachment by climbing about and 
rubbing itself against its friend; and is eminently a social and playful bird. It 
builds in holes under trees and rocks, and lays two or three white eggs about the 
size of a pullets in the month of February; and the young birds are found in 
