(4, p. 7.)

The kaka is a kind of parrot, of a reddish grey colour, and is easily tamed when taken young. When numbers meet round a tree-top, as they generally fly pretty high, they make a loud, harsh, disagreeable noise; but sometimes that kaw-ing noise is relieved by a call-like whistle—as calling some mate. The paroquet is what may be called a small parrot, about the size of a starling or measlethrush found in Scotland, nearly wholly of a pea-green colour, and having a red (nearly approaching to scarlet) ring round the upper part of its bill. Its habits are of a thievish and destructive nature, especially where grain is growing. They will assemble in great flocks at the edge of the clearing when the wheat is out in ear, and behead almost every stalk for at least a couple of yards round the wheat-patch border, sometimes nipping off the head and letting it fall, as well as taking others into the bush with them. But as they destroy more than they eat, they are the cause of a great deal of loss of crop, unless they are constantly watched and shot at to frighten them away—which seemed to form the reason, with the speaker, why the pigeons more than those referred to, should be allowed the enjoyment of peace.