kaka

n.

the Maori name for a parrot. The wordis imitative of a parrot's cry. It is now always used todenote the Brown Parrot of New Zealand, Nestormeridionalis, Gmel.

1835. W. Yate, `Account of New Zealand,' p. 54:

«Kaka – – a bird of the parrot kind; much larger than any other New Zealand parrot.»

1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i.p. 259:

«The kaka, a large russet parrot, of excellent flavour, andvery abundant in many places.»

1851. Mrs. Wilson, `New Zealand,' p. 40:

«The bright red feathers from under the wing of the kaka orlarge parrot.»

1854. W. Golder, `Pigeons' Parliament,' [Notes] p. 79:

«The kaka is a kind of parrot of a reddish grey colour,and is easily tamed when taken young.»

1866. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand,' p. 93:

«The hoarse croak of the ka-ka, as it alighted almost at ourfeet, and prepared, quite careless of our vicinity, to tear upthe loose soil at the root of a tall tree, in search of grubs.»

1869. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' (Supplement):

« Nestor hypopolius, ka-ka parrot.»

1884. T. Bracken, `Lays of Maori,' p. 38:

«I heard mocking kakas wail and cry above thy corse.»

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 150:

« Nestor meridionalis, kaka parrot.»

Ibid. p. 158:

«Sprightly in its actions, eminently social, and more noisythan any other inhabitant of the woods, the kaka holds aprominent place among our native birds.»