Alwyn Owen: How the Kiwi lost its wings

By MARGIE THOMSON

Long ago the kiwi was like other birds, flitting around the treetops. But then the forest became infested with a plague of insects and Tane called on the birds to come down to the forest floor to save the trees.

All refused, except for the kiwi, which bravely accepted Tane's terms: to become flightless, strong-legged and brown.

In punishment, Tane then changed the other birds as well, and this mythical story becomes a pleasing character study of each native bird. Beautifully illustrated.

Reed

$12.95