NATIVE BIRDS 191 
gregarious, and it is sociable even in distress, large numbers 
gathering round a fallen member of the company with | 
apparent demonstrations of commiseration. This habit led 
to scores being killed where otherwise only a single bird 
might have been victimised. When migrating from one 
part of the country to another, Kakas fly at a considerable 
height. They do not travel in large flocks, from two to 
half a dozen being the usual number. When a pair of 
Kakas have mated, they are seen constantly together ; 
if one moves from a tree, its partner quickly follows. 
For its nest the Kaka usually selects a tree with a heart 
that is quite decayed and having a convenient opening 
leading from the outside to the bottom of the hollow. 
The interior may require some preparation and the 
entrance may need smoothing and enlarging. Four white © 
eggs about an inch and three quarters in length are laid 
on the decayed wood and there hatched. Attachment. 
to their young is a strong point with these birds. An 
old bird has been known to perish at the entrance to its 
nesting hole during a bush fire, where it remained to 
protect its young, though escape was easy. 
In the summer the Kakas are occupied with the cares 
of providing for their young and protecting them, After 
the young are able to get along by themselves, as 
autumn advances, the old birds become very fat. In 
places where they are not much disturbed, Kakas show 
great inquisitiveness and absolute fearlessness. 
Their food consists of honey, which they sip from the 
flowers, and insects. The latter they pursue with relent- 
less energy, stripping the bark from the trees in their 
efforts to secure them. 
