THE SHEEP KILLER, 89 



sometimes as many as four would be on one sheep at a time. 

 One would give a peck, the sheep would give a bound 

 forward, and they would all come off. They did not seem 

 to follow the same sheep, but just hopped on to the first 

 one they came to. Sometimes when one got on a sheep's 

 back in a good position — behind the kidneys facing the head 

 — it would keep pecking and so keep the sheep jumping round 

 and through the mob for a long time. I am quite certain 

 that they thoroughly enjoyed the fun of riding on the sheep 



CLOSE VIEW OF A WOUND made bv Keas on the Sheei> found on 

 Top Flat, Mt. Alsidus Station. 



and falling off. After about an hour of this sport, I noticed 

 one that had got in a good position on a sheep's back 

 striking it more quickly and more vigorously than any of 

 the others. It kept the sheep careering in and through the 

 camp in an awful state, until at last it disappeared down 

 the ridge leading down to some overhanging rocks. After 

 about a minute, I heard a Kea call far down the gully. 

 Next day I got a dead sheep at the foot of the rocks 

 where the sheep disappeared. I did not see the Kea come 



