200 ' NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
scratchers, and its wings from the Struthious birds, which 
include the Ostrich and Emu. 
At first glance, the Kiwi’s body seems to be covered 
with hairs instead of feathers; outwardly it has neither 
wings nor a tail, and the position of its nostrils at the tip 
of its long and slender beak, instead of at the base, 
constitutes one of its most distinguishing features. It has 
Fig. 121.—Brown Kiwi. 
a keener sense of smell than is possessed by any other 
living bird. The eyes are small and inefficient. The ears 
are well developed and as an aid to discovering food are next 
in importance to its sense of smell, 
Along the feathers of the front part of its head are a 
number of long straggling hairs or weak bristles. These 
perform the useful office of protecting the eyes and head 
from injury and of acting as feelers, enabling the bird 
