NATURE NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1936, Page 17

NATURE NOTES

THE OWL-PAKROT

A QUAINT N.Z. BIRD

(By E. H. D. Stidolph.) One of .the' most Quaint and littleknown native birds of New" Zealand is the kakapo or owl-parrot, a species that at one time abounded in both islands! It disappeared, however, fromthe North Island in the very earliest days of settlement, a fact that is somewhat puzzling, as at that time there were no introduced enemies except the rat to prey upon this bird. Stoats, ferrets, and weasels had not then been liberated, so that these blood-thirsty animals may not be blamed for the. k^kapo's disappearance in this island. There have been somewhat vague reports of the kakapo still surviving in some remote parts of the North Island in more recent years, but these- do not seem to have been substantiated. In any case, the bird at one time, according to the Maoris, inhabited the Tararua Ranges and was hunted with trie dog. In the South Island the position of this species is more favourable, as it still exists, in many areas, though there has been a serious decline in its numbers in recent years. AH the same, it is well distributed in. the rugged country to be found in the Nelson and Westland districts. ' FACE LIKE AN OWL. The kakapo is a remarkable bird. It is a ■ true parrot in the essential characteristics of structure, but possesses a facial disc, bearing a resemblance to that of an owl, as its generic name, Stringops, indicates. The texture of the plumage is also soft and the bird is mostly nocturnal in its habits. The name of owl-parrot 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. New Zealand'claims the kakapo as an exclusive possession, and on that account no stone should be left unturned to ensure that it is saved from extinction, the regrettable fate that has overtaken far too many of New Zealand's most interesting and beautiful species. ATTEMPTS TO SAVE SPECIES. Attempts have been made to establish this bird on island sanctuaries. In 1907 three birds were placed on Kapiti Island, and, although no more were liberated there,. only a few months ago a kakapo was seen on the island, showing that one, of the original stock, or their progeny, survives after thirty years. This seems to indicate that the conditions on the island suit this bird. In 1903 three birds were also liberated on Little Barrier Island, but nothing further appears to have been heard or seen of this batclu ;.The late Mr. Richard Henry, who, about thirty-five years ago, was caretaker of Resolution Island, a sanctuary in the West Coast Sounds, .transferred large numbers of. tha kakapo from the neighbouring mainland to that island. In 1897 he liberated there 135 and in ■1898 a further 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 this bird became established on any. of these islands or not, as since Mr. Henry's removal from Resolution Island there has been no caretaker on the island, which is seldom, if ever, visited by human beings. ITS HAUNTS DESCRIBED. Unfortunately, the great majority of present-day bird-lovers are denied tha opportunity of making the acquaintance of the kakapo, and for most oi our information about this bird's habits we have to rely on the observations of those who had the chance of seeing the bird when it was present in large numbers. Formerly, for instance, the kakapo was very abundant in the vicinity of Lake Brunner.in Westland; and Mr. W. W. Smith, New Zealand's veteran naturalist, who visited that district in 1888, had something of interest to say about the kakapo and other birds inhabiting those parts. He wrote: "The magnificent primeval forest (around the shores of Lake Brunner) is d£e 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. I have seen most of the bush lands of New Zealand, but nowhere can the vegetation of the bush be seen in such profusion and perfection. . . . Among the rich groves of tree-ferns the kakapo and the kiwi have their home. In the saplings of taller growths and among the branches of the towering timber trees many birds revel and enliven the bush through the day with their ; rich and varied notes. As evening comes on the calls of nocturnal species are. heard. In the dwarf ferns the weka moves stealthily about, silently peering into the tent, ready to pick up any bright object and carry it off, to be left and lost 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 'morepork.' " A NIGHT FEEDER. Referring to the kakapo, Mr. Smith states: "The croaking of the kakapo among the ferns and lower branches, busily consuming the leaves, and the shrill night cry of the kiwi, are the only sounds which disturb the serene silence of the forest. . . . Being nocturnal in their habits, the kakapos emerge from their hiding places in the evening to feed and climb among the lower branches, consuming the soft vegetation. When several 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 nibbling of the tender leaves, while they croak and mutter continuously. By the morning their crops are enlarged to their full. extent with the nutritious green food consumed during the night. On moonlight nights their sight is clearer and they take advantage of this to roam further from their hiding places to feed. On the outskirts of the bush several may . b'a seen together waddling leisurely towards some favourite feeding ground, returning when their hunger is appeased to their usual hiding place. The latter is generally in or about the decayed roots of old- trees ,o_r : ; hollow prostrate timber. .It is sometimes easy to find their homes by the presence of the little trodden paths leading to them." . '■