Two Kiwi Chicks Thriving

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 2

Two Kiwi Chicks Thriving

NAPIER, Nov. 12. It has been definitely established that the first kiwi chick hatched at the Hawke's Bay Acclimatisation Society's game farm at Greenmeadows is a male and the second a female. The male chick is eight weeks old and tho female five weeks. Both chicks were hatched by the male bird and are still in his chargo. Apparently considering that she had discharged her responsibilities by laying the two large eggs, one-third of her own weight, the hen seemed resigned to the male bird assuming the cares of hatching and rearing tho youngsters. She has remained aloqf and disinterested for some weeks. A few days ago the curator, Mr. F. D. Robson, returned her to the run housing the male bird and the two chicks. The result was startling. A fight ensued between the adult birds, each snapping ferociously with their long bills and bringing their powerful talons into play, hissing and snarling like two cats. Mr. Robson quickly intervened and returned the hen to her solitary confinement. By day the kiwis are docile and nearblind, and seek to hide from the light. At evening they venture out in their eternal quest for worms, alternately scratching and then digging with their long bills. In the daytime the chicks nestle in the male's plumage.