. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. PARROTS, CUCKOOS, AND PLANTAIN-EATERS 95. Pho:a by Ottnmar ^'Inschutx.'] [ LEADBEATER'S COCKATOO Hji a red cn'itj handed -ZL'ith \t'//oic and ripped zi'uh zvhue name implies, it is a ground-dwelling species, and, in accordance with this habit, has considerably longer legs than the tree-haunting species. This lengthening of the leg in arboreal species is seen also among pigeons and many other birds. The most interesting, perhaps, of all the parrots is the remarkable 'i i, or
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. PARROTS, CUCKOOS, AND PLANTAIN-EATERS 95. Pho:a by Ottnmar ^'Inschutx.'] [ LEADBEATER'S COCKATOO Hji a red cn'itj handed -ZL'ith \t'//oic and ripped zi'uh zvhue name implies, it is a ground-dwelling species, and, in accordance with this habit, has considerably longer legs than the tree-haunting species. This lengthening of the leg in arboreal species is seen also among pigeons and many other birds. The most interesting, perhaps, of all the parrots is the remarkable 'i i, or (J\\L-r_\RR(:>'r, of New Zealand. Like the species just described, it is also a ground-dweller; furthermore, it differs from all other members of the tribe in being flightless, and, like the flightless members of the Ostrich Tribe, has completel_\- lost the deep keel from the breast-bone, which gives support to the muscles which move the \\ings. It is a large bird, green in colour, mottled with \'ellow and black, and derives its name of (!)wl-parrot from the tact that the feathers of the face radiate from the e_\-e out^\•ards to form a kind of disk-. When eating grass, it is said to graze, nibbling after the fashion of a rabbit. (Jccasionalh- it is said to climb trees, descending with extended wings, so as to break the force of its career. It has been described as a pla}-ful and aflectionate pet in captivit)-, displa)-ing also great cleverness and intelligence. Unfortunately it is growing more and more rare, so that its final extermination is onl}' a question of time—the rawages of dogs, cats, and pigs, intnjduccd by the settlers, being mainly the agents of destruction. Once common all o\x'r New Zealand, the range of the owl-parrot is now restricted to the mountainous regions of North Island and the northern half of South Island. During the day it remains concealed in the holes in rocks or under roots of trees, and if disturbed is difticult to rouse. When taken from its
Size: 1915px × 1305px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectzoology
