HAUNTS AND HABITS. 41 



others. Here, then, was an explanation of the wintering of the 

 Keas. The alpine scrub is generally fairly thick where there 

 is any at all, thick enough to form a roof upon which the 

 snow can lie, and stiff enough to bear the weight of it ; and 

 beneath the scrub and snow roof the Keas can be 

 very comfortably housed, out of the reach of frosts 

 and gales, and with a larder under their feet. There may 

 not be much in that larder, but it is enough to keep them 

 alive till the snow disappears. 



It is quite a mistake to think that whenever you are in 

 Kea country you will see the birds ; considering the expanse 

 of the country, the Keas are comparatively few, and the 

 traveller may spend days and even weeks without ever seeing 

 a single specimen. 



They seem to have favourite valleys and peaks, and, if 

 you can get back into the mountain fastnesses and camp in 

 these places, the Keas in their native haunts can usually be 

 seen. 



At other times they may be seen in ones and twos or 

 larger groups scattered throughout the country, but their 

 appearance on the scene is always an uncertainty. 



Often they seem to be very timid, and fly high up in the 

 air, giving out their characteristic cries as they sail overhead. 

 Sometimes, on the other hand, they become fearless and poke 

 round one's tent and camp fire in a way that makes them a 

 perfect nuisance. 



In some districts, where they were once to be seen in large 

 flocks, the long slaughter has since greatly reduced their 

 numbers. 



The Kea, like other parrots, is normally a vegetarian, 

 with, as one might expect from its connection with the 

 brush-tongued parrots, a strong liking for honey. 



In addition to this it is strongly insectivorous, being 

 specially fond of the larvte of the insects found on the 

 mountains. 



The late Mr. T. H. Potts says that the Kea gathers its 

 subsistence from the nectar of hardy flowers— from the drupes 

 and berries of dwarfed shrubs that contend with the rigorous 



