<hw>Weka</hw>, <i>n</i>. the Maori name for the <i>Wood-hen</i> (q.v.) of New Zealand, so called from its note. There are two species—
South-Island Weka, or Wood-hen—
<i>Ocydromus australis</i>, Strick.
North-Island W., or W.-h.—
<i>Ocydromus brachypterus</i>, Buller.
The specimens intergrade to such an extent that precise limitation of species is extremely difficult; but Sir W. L. Buller set them out as these two in 1878, regarding other specimens as varieties. The birds are sometimes called <i>Weka-Rails</i>, and the Maori name of <i>Weka-pango</i> is given to the <i>Black Wood-hen</i> (<i>0. fuscus</i>, Du Bus.).
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 95:
"Two young weka, or wood-hens, about as large as sparrows . . . were esteemed a valuable addition to our scanty supper."
1864. R. L. A. Davies, `Poems and Literary Remains' (edition 1884), p. 263:
"Wood-hens, or Waikas, are a great stand-by in the bush. Their cry can be imitated, and a man knowing their language and character can catch them easily. They call each other by name, pronounced `Weeka,' latter syllable being shrill and prolonged, an octave higher than the first note. . . . The wood-hen is about the size of a common barn-door fowl; its character is cunning, yet more fierce than cunning, and more inquisitive than either."
1865. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand,' p. 28:
"Until the numbers of the wekas are considerably reduced. They are very like a hen pheasant without the long tail-feathers, and until you examine them you cannot tell they have no wings, though there is a sort of small pinion among the feathers, with a claw at the end of it. They run very swiftly, availing themselves cleverly of the least bit of cover."