30 THE KEA. 



mostly yellow, but darkening to a brownish-black as the bird 

 ages. 



The eyes are dark brown or black, with a yellow ring 

 of wattle encircling each. There is also some similarly 

 coloured wattle (cere) around the nostrils, which in shade 

 varies from a bright to a dull yellow. 



Mule 



KEAS' HEADS: Showinoi the external differences 



BETWEEN THE SEXES. 



From a number of specimens kindly lent me by Dr. B. 

 Moorhouse, of Christchurch, I obtained the following average 

 measurements : 



Length of the bird from the tip of the beak to the end 

 of the tail — 20i inches : maximum, 23 inches ; minimum, I82 

 inches. 



Length of the upper mandible from tip to gape — 21 inches ; 

 maximum, 2f inches : minimum, li inches. 



Length of wing from flexure (carpel), 12 3-5 inches; 

 maximum 13 inches ; minimum 12 inches. 



The female is very similar to the male, but can often be 

 recognised by the duller plumage. If one is at all familiar 



