DESCRIPTION. 



29 



The green colouration is most vivid on the back and on the 

 sides of the wings, but it gets duller on the ventral 

 surface of the body and towards the head. 



The outer webs of the large wing feathers (primaries) 

 have a bright metallic-blue tint, while the inner webs are 

 brownish-black, banded by pale yellow teeth. 



*A^ St ^ 



THE KEA : Shuwinu the usual kufflkh conihtion (1f the plumahe. 



The under surfaces of these feathers are similar to the 

 upper, except that the metallic blue colour on the outer 

 webs is absent, being replaced by the general blackish-brown hue. 



The tail feathers are nearly equal in length, and the 

 upper surfaces are olive-green, getting paler towards the 

 tips. They are crossed at their extremity by a black band. 



The upper mandible, or beak, is smooth, and much 

 curved. It is of a brownish-black colour, with a lighter 

 yellow tint at its crown. 



The lower mandible is much shorter, and is nearly 

 straight. It is of lighter colour, being in the young bird 



