NATURAL HISTORY. 
397 
slightly curved, having the nostrils at the extremity ; its fea¬ 
thers, which are tipped with a kind of claw, are much prized 
in forming cloaks, which are only worn by the highest chiefs.* 
The kiivi forms burrows, and deposits its eggs in them, 
generally at the root of the rata. It is said to be three years 
before they are hatched, and oftentimes the hole is so grown up 
with roots, that the young bird cannot make its way out, and 
thus perishes. The kiwi parure is the largest kind, and the 
kiivi hoihoi the smallest. 
The kiwi is a night bird, and finds its food by smell, feeling 
its way by means of its large whiskers, inserting its bill into 
the earth in search of worms with great celerity, making at 
the same time a snuffing noise ; it then appears very animated. 
It kicks with considerable force, and expresses its anger by a 
hissing or grunting noise. It is easily tamed. The cry it 
makes is very similar to its name, which is probably thus 
derived. The kiwi is an unsightly bird, having short thick 
legs, with very strong nails; it has no tail. In very wet 
weather, it is often driven out of the forest, and compelled to 
seek the plain. When at rest, it supports itself upon its beak. 
The natives always tie a feather or two of this bird to their 
paua, or fish-hooks. It is good eating, and tastes more like 
tender beef than a bird ; the principal fleshy parts are the ribs 
and legs. 
There is said to be another bird of this family in the Middle 
Island, weighing as much as eighteen pounds; it is so strong 
that it cannot be held with one hand, and if the captor be not 
very careful, it will escape, as my informant said, by shaking 
itself out of its feathers, which it frequently does. It is 
highly probable that many varieties of this remarkable bird 
will be found in the islands north of New Zealand. 
Toko eka, a kind of kiwi, larger than the turkey, and found 
in the Middle Island, at Dusky Bay, and on the snowy moun¬ 
tains ; by others, it is described as being of a bright red 
* Cloaks made from the feathers of the kiwi are highly prized. I brought 
a very large one from one of the Wanganui tribes, as a present for the Queen. 
During the many years I have been in New Zealand, I never saw so fine a one— 
they are extremely rare. 
