For this cavy curiosity we have to travel to the mysterious Islands of New Zealand, noted for its range of unique animals, particularly birds that do not fly, and often only to be found scratching the forest undergrowth while all else sleeps. Do they have a cavy that does not wheek you may ask.
	Here we see the famous Kiwi of New Zealand - all flap and no flight. We understand that a cavy breed called 'The Plume' exists which has not lost its ability to wheek, though it seems to be a breed of cavy that sprouts feathers, unless our eyes deceive us. Read on ......
We are grateful to our New Zealand correspondent Sharon for this remarkable picture of a 'Plume' Cavy she once kept, but is no more. (We hope this remarkable breed does not go the same way as the Tasmanian Tiger, leaving us with a legacy of pointless TV programs of people searching forests, 'cos someone thought they saw one cross the road in the car headlights after a few gin & tonics)
Sharon tells us that her cavy was having a 'bad hair day' (or should we say bad feather day) when this photo was taken, the coat normally stands up much more over the head, and the plume at the rear end much more prominent.