72 ELEMENTS OF ORNITHOLOGY. 
Zealand, which is also the home of another kind as exceptional 
in its habits as is the Owl-parrot in its plumage. This second 
kind is the Kea Parrot (Nestor notabilis), which has acquired 
the bad habit of feeding upon Sheep, which they will kill by 
puncturing them in the back, and tearing down upon the 
kidney, the tat of which they greedily devour. 

The Owl-parrot (Stringops habroptilus). 
It is generally supposed that we have here an instance of an 
extraordinary change in habit and instinct, and that the Bird 
was exclusively a vegetable-feeder till the introduction of sheep 
into New Zealand. Dr. H. Woodward, F.R.S., has, however, 
suggested to us, as by no means improbable, that this Bird in 
