CHAPTER VII. 



THE SHEEP KILLER. 



lu sill and shanie o'ertakeii, 

 Tlij- .ulciiy sliall sink iu gloom. 



— John Liddell Keli.y. 



The Keas have several methods of attacking: sheep, and 

 it depends largely upon the kind of ground as to which one is 

 used in a particular instance. 



They may attack in large numbers up to one hundred and 

 twenty, or merely in ones and twos. Usually one or two old 

 birds, known as "sheep-killers," do the killing, and the others 

 share the spoil. 



It is quite a mistake to suppose that all Keas kill or even 

 attack sheep. Just as we have comparatively harmless tigers, 

 who will not attack man except under provocation, and also 

 "man-eaters," who seem to take a special delight in killing 

 men ; so, among the Keas, many of them never attack sheep, 

 while others, usually old birds, seem to enjoy nothing better. 



Again, the Keas do not, as many people suppose, choose the 

 lambs or weaklings, but in most cases the choicest of the flocks 

 is killed. 



The usual mode of attack seems to be as follows. The bird 

 settles on the ground near its quarry, and, after hopping about 

 here and there for some time, leaps on to its prey, usually on 

 the rump. 



If it cannot obtain a Hrm grip with its claws, the 

 movement of the sheep may cause it to fall, but the Kea 

 seems rather to enjoy the sensation, and so tries again until 

 it has securely perched itself on the sheep's back. 



Then the murderer begins cruelly to pull out the wool 

 with its powerful beak, until it gets down to the flesh. 



