NESTING. 



51 



call of the Kea, and the little ones in the nest immediately 

 responded. 



The opening of the "run" in which the nest was situated 

 was thus found ; yet, owing to the narrowness of the tunnel, 

 the men were still unable to reach the nest. However, with 

 the aid of a crowbar, a large rock was removed from the 

 entrance, and the young birds were captured. The mother bird 

 was killed, and the men put the little ones inside their shirts 



NATURAL ENTRANCK TO A KEA RUN : After the removal of a 



LARGE ROCK FROM THE ENTRANCE. FkOM THIS NEST THE 

 FOUR VOUNG KeAS WERE TAKEN. 



for warmth and safety, and they were thus carried back to 

 the station. 



The father bird escaped ; and, though Mr. Urquhart 

 returned the next day and stayed an hour or two about the 

 place, he did not catch a glimpse of him until, about to give 

 up the search in despair, he espied the old fellow watching in 

 artful silence from a tree, where he had been probably 

 perched throughout the proceedings. The bird carefully avoided 

 any closer acquaintance. 



