Marrinek. — On the Natural History of the Kea. 291 



Again, the very fact that birds seem fond of dead carcases 

 rather supports this theory. 



It is, of course, impossible to say which theory is nearest 

 the truth, but I think that there is no doubt that the main 

 factors that caused the keas to change their diet and become 

 birds of prey are expressed in the last three theories. 



The Time of Attack. 



It would be unwise to say in what month of the year the 

 keas are most destructive to the flocks, because all the sheep 

 that are killed are not found, and naturally when musterers 

 are out on the ranges they will see more results of the keas' 

 work than when they remain on the homestead. From the 

 records that I have received, they seem to attack mostlv in 

 the winter and the spring, and frequently at midsummer. 



There are several reasons which may account for their at- 

 tacking in winter. Firstly, when the ground is covered with 

 snow, or frozen hard, the birds will have much difficulty in 

 finding sufficient food, and hunger, no doubt, would make them 

 ferocious. Secondly, the sheep are made an easier prey owing 

 to the dejith of the snow, and often they are buried in it. so as 

 to be almost unable to move, and so would give the birds very 

 little trouble. 



In early spring the climatic conditions are, if anything, 

 intensified, and the ordinary food is scarcer still. Besides, it 

 is the kea's nesting-time, and the extra work of sitting, and the 

 feeding of the young birds, would make the parents more hun- 

 gry and daring. During the late spring, when their ordinary 

 food would be more accessible, they appear to kill less sheep, 

 and do not become very much of a nuisance again until about 

 the middle of summer. 



The reason why the keas find this season a good time for 

 depredations is uncertain, but may be accounted for as follows : 

 Firstly, o\ving to the snow having melted, the sheep are able 

 to roam in the kea's domain. Secondly, the sheep have favourite 

 places for sleeping, and. if anywhere near, they make for them 

 night after night. These spots are called " camps," and no 

 doubt the keas are always sure of finding a good supply of 

 sheep in the "camps " whenever they intend to attack. Thirdly, 

 at shearing - time tho sheep are confined to small paddocks, 

 and so have less chance of getting away from the kea. They 

 do not, however, confine their attacks to these seascais cnly, 

 but have been kiiown to kill sheep all the year round, though 

 autumn seems the time when they attack least : whether it is 

 due to the quantity of their orainary food, that would be ploi- 

 tiful at this season, or not, is hard to decide. 



