NATURE NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 17

NATURE NOTES

OUR VANISHING BIRDS

THE KAKAPO

(By K. H. D. : Stidolph, R.A.0.U.)

Another species of native bird which is urgently in need of real protection is the quaint owl-parrot, or kakapo, of the South Island fastnesses. This peculiar and interesting bird, has decreased- seriously in numbers sine© the settlement of the country, and-with the " increase in ground vermin its battle: for life is bound to bo a strenuous one. In fact, competition on the mainland is almost too strong for a bird.like the ,kakapo to survive, so that its removal t<r island sanctuaries is most. imperative. As far back as 1903 three 'kakapovpero turned out on the Little Barrier Island sanctuary. by the Government, and in 1907 three were placed. on^Kapiti Island sanctuary. Therere has been, no .sign of those placed on the first-named island, but on Kapiti the kakapo-has been seen within the last year, or two. Obviously, the bird has littlo,.chane"e..of .eatalilishment. from the original stock of three, and seeing that the conditions on Kapiti are suitable for this "species prompt measnres should be taken to introduce a further batch of birds to ensure the safety of this ' world-famous species. Likewise, additional birds could b» placed on. the Little Barrier. /'.; The late Mr. Bichrd Henry, -who, over, thirty • years' ago, was caretaker of Eesolutioa Island in the-West Coast Sounds, transferred a large number of kakapo from the neighbouring mainland to that island. In 1897 he liberated there 135, and in 1898 64. In addition, he placed! the kakapo on other islands in the vicinity, 124 on Long Island, three on Indian Island, eleven- on Archer Island, and one on Cooper Island. It is not known if these birds have survived, as no recent report has^ come to hand on the birds inhabiting the Besolution Island^sanctuary. It would be interesting, indeed to know the position of bird-life in that remote part of New Zealand. Mr. Ilenry also placed a largo number of two species of kiwi on Resolution. Island and the other islands named. " " Since Mr. Henry's removal from Resolution there has been no caretaker-qn th» island. The kakapo, apparently, formerly-in-habited the North Island, but its disappearance from this island occurred in the earliest days of settlement, about the time when the first pioneers'arrived. Why it should havo died'out at-Such an early date is inexplicable, as r ati that time there were no introduced pretties in the country beyond Tats to prey, on the bird. Stoats, ferrets, and weasels were not then in New-Zealand, - Thare have been vague reports of the bird still being found in some remote parts of the North Island, but so far the reports have not'been substantiated. The kakapo is a remarkable form. It is. a true parrot in tho essential characteristics of structure, but possesses a facial disc, bearing a resemblance to that of an owl, as its general name, Stringops, indicates. Tho texture of the plumage is also soft, and the bird is mostly nocturnal in its habits. The name of owlparrot which has been applied to it is thus most appropriate. The kakapo varies considerably- in size, the total length being about two feet. Although possessing wings it is incapable of flight, the wings being merely-used to assist the bird in running and climbing or, perhaps, in gliding to the ground. It is a very handsome bird,'richly clad in a plumage of beautiful green, varied with brown on the upper parts, while below it is yellow-green, varied with brown and yellow-white. Formerly the kakapo was very abundant in the vicinity, of Lake Brunncr, Westland. Mr. AY. W. Smith, oi New Plymouth, who visited that district in 1888, had something of interest to say about tho kakapo and other birds inhabiting those parts. He wrote: "The magnificent primeval forest (around the shores of Lake Brunner) is due to the great depth of vegetable mould, or rich virgin soil,, which covered the whole face of the country before the forest spread over it. T have seen most of the bush lands of New Zealand, but nowhere can tho vegetation of the bush be seen in sucli profusion and perfection. . . . Among the rich groves of tree-ferns the kakapo and the kiwi havo their home. In the saplings of taller growths and among tho branches of the towering timber trees many biids revel and enliven the bush through the day with their rich and varied notes. Aa evening comes on, the calls of nocturnal and semi-noctumal species arc heard. In the dwarf ferns tho weka. moves stealthily about, silently peering into the tent, ready to pick up any bright object and carry it off, to be left and lotit in the bush. In the branches of decaying trees the kaka is busy searching in the bark and leaves for insects, uttering, as it flies from tree to tree, a- hoarse discordant scream. The little owl answers from all directions the call of "more pork." The croaking of the kakapo among the ferns and lower branches, busily consuming the leaves, and the shrill night cry of tho kiwi, are the only sounds which disturb the severe silence of the forest. . . . Being nocturnal, in their , habits, tho kakapos emerge from their hiding places in the evening to feed, and climb among tho lower branches, consuming the soft vegetation. When *everal are feeding together they continue throughout the night to- answer each other's calls, or hoarse mutterings, uttered while masticating their food. . On very..dark nights it is pleasing to steal as near them as possible and listen to their rubbing of the tender leaves, while they croak and mutter continuously. By the morning their crops arc enlarged to their full extent with tho nutritious green food consumed during the night. On moonlight nights their sight is clearer, and they take advantage of this to roam farther from their hiding places to feed. On the outskirts of tho bush several may bo seen together waddling leisurely along towards some favourite feeding ground, returning when their hunger is appeased to their usual hiding place. Tho latter is generally ir. or about the decayed roots of old trees, or hollow prostrate timber. It is sometimes easy to find their homes by by tho presence of the little trodden paths leading to them.