AT PLAY. 



61 



perfect nuisance in the early mornings, sleep being often 

 impossible. 



However, the trouble does not stop there : they will often 

 pay a visit of inspection to the tent, and keep one on the 

 qui vive as to what new mischief they will do- Perhaps 

 you hear them rattling the cooking untensils about. That is 

 the merest trifle ; but, when they begin to tear the tent. 



KEAS AT PLAY : Investigatinu a lamp. 



there is nothing to do but to get up and strike camp as 

 soon as possible. 



An experienced Kea-hunter says: — "There is something 

 freakish about the Kea. You have got to the high tops, and 

 perhaps have rested on a rock, keenly alert for any sign 

 of your quarry. There is no indication of a Kea being 

 within a mile of you, but after you have started again and 

 look back, there is a Kea on the very spot that you have 

 just left. Where it comes from is a mystery you don't 

 pretend to solve. But this is the Kea's way : sometimes it 

 will shriek to let you know that it is near at hand ; at 

 other times it will silently appear by your side, coming 

 apparently from nowhere." 



