Among the localities where the Kivi is still obtainable may be mentioned Little Barrier Island, a small, wooded island in Hauraki Bay, near Auckland, which is evidently the top of a high mountain, rising some 2,383 feet above the level of the sea, and only approachable in the calmest weather.
There seems to be little difficulty in keeping these birds in a state of captivity, and in the Gardens of the London Zoological Society, in the Regent's Park, several specimens have been successfully exhibited. Their cage is simply a dark kennel, having in one corner a sufficient quantity of straw, among which the birds remain carefully hidden during the day. Should their keeper take them forcibly from their retreat, they immediately run back again, as soon as they find themselves at liberty, and eagerly cover themselves as completely as possible. After sunset, however, they become quite lively and active, running about in all directions, and probing the soft earth with their beaks, much after the manner of a Woodcock. They readily devour finely-chopped mutton and earthworms, consuming of the first-mentioned article of diet almost half a pound a day.
THE NANDU, OR RHEA.
CASSELL, PETTER, AND GALPIN, BELLE SAUVAGE WORKS, LONDON, E.C.
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