During his stay in New Zealand, 1877-1889, the Austrian naturalist Andreas Reischek studied, collected and kept in captivty Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). In addition to mention of Kakapo in papers in English, Reischek after his return to Austria in 1890 published a paper on the species in German, consolidating his experience and presenting new facts. A close and full translation of the paper is presented, together with notes and comments. The main sections discuss: unsociability, irregular breeding years, nesting, feeding behaviour, an alpine variety, winter ecology, parasites, plumage, trapping, offer of trapping Kakapo for Little Barrier, Kakapo in captivity.