190 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
The Kaka is very playful, very sociable, and very 
noisy. Living on and among trees it remains in the 
forest all the year round. When disturbed it hops about 
the branches with some dexterity, beak and wings assisting 
its awkward but rapid progress as it threads its way 
amongst leaves and sprays with unruffled plumage. The 
peculiar formation of its grasping feet enables it to 
perform wonderful feats of agile climbing. A sharp note 
Fig. 116.—Kea. Kaka. 
or two marks its uneasiness when a vigilant eye watches 
what takes place below. When really alarmed, after a few 
hurried movements it flies a short distance away, at first 
usually gliding downwards rather than flying straight, 
threading the leafy margin of the close-growing trees with 
perfect ease and grace. At this time it warns ‘its fellows 
of impending danger by uttering loud cries of Kaka, 
Kaka! which are often repeated. In its habits it is 
