146 From Magazines, &c. |_ isf"'laM. 



the loin of the sheep about the size of a man's hand. From this 

 matter continually runs down the sides, takes the wool com- 

 pletely off the part it touches, and in many cases death is the 

 result. At last a shepherd noticed one of the Mountain-Parrots 

 sticking to a sheep and picking at a sore, and the animal seemed 

 unable to get rid of its tormentor. 



" The run-holder gave directions to keep watch on the Parrots 

 when mustering on high ground. The result has been that 

 during the present season, when mustering high up on the 

 ranges near the snow-line, they saw several birds surrounding a 

 sheep, which was freshly bleeding from a small wound on the 

 loin ; on other sheep were noticed places where the Kea had 

 begun to attack them, small pieces of wool having been picked 

 out." 



Though this record casts grave suspicion on the Kea, it does 

 not by any means absolutely prove that it was the culprit. 



However, though nearly 50 years have passed since the record 

 was first published, there has not been one genuine attempt to 

 inquire into the case, and, up to the end of 1905, this is the only 

 definite case recorded where a man actually saw a Kea picking 

 at a live sheep. 



The strongest evidence against the bird was the circumstantial, 

 which may be classed as follows: — 



Against the Kea — 



a. The account of the Wanaka shepherds. 



b. Only where Keas were known to live were the sheep 



wounded after the Kea's method. Where they were 

 unknown, no instance of this special kind of sheep- 

 killing had been seen. 



c. If sheep had been killed, and the birds in that place were 



shot, the killing at that spot ceased. 



d. Keas had been seen to fly oflf the bodies of sheep, and 



wool and fat had been found in their crops. 



e. Some Keas in captivity would eat meat, fat, skins, &c. 

 This evidence may be sufificient to satisfy the general public, 



but it is inadequate to prove it conclusively as a scientific fact. 

 For the Kea — 



a. The lack of recorded eye-witnesses. 



b. In many places where Keas were known to live no sheep 



had been killed after the Kea's method. 



c. Many Keas in captivity would not eat meat, &c. 



d. Many of the men who accused the bird were paid for 



exterminating them, and they would naturally wish the 



story to be believed. 



In response to several requests we have received a large 



amount of evidence from men who live, or have lived, in the 



Kea country- — namely, musterers, shepherds, head shepherds, 



managers of stations, run-holders, and station-owners. 



