84 



THE KEA. 



The sheep, which for some time has been moving- 

 uneasily about, gives a jump as the beal<. enters the flesh, 

 and then commences to run wildly about here and there in 

 vain eff'orts to rid itself of its tormentor. 



When, however, the poor beast discovers that it cannot 

 dislodge its enemy, it seems to lose its head, and rushes 

 blindly about, usually at a high speed. 



Sometimes the birds run the sheep to death, and then 

 gorge themselves on the dead body. At other times they 



A SHEEP KILLED BY KEAS. A Merino Eam found on Top Flat, 

 Mt. Algidus Station. 



never really reach a vital part of the animal's anatomy, but, 

 after severely wounding it, they leave it, and the poor brute 

 wanders about with a large gash, sometimes four or five inches 

 across, on its rump, and torn open so much that the transverse 

 processes of the vertebree can be seen. The sheep struggles 



