114 



THE KEA. 



that I thought the Kea might fancy, hunting in all likely 

 situations, both in the forest and the mountain side, I found 

 only a very meagre supply. 



Not only is food scarce in winter, but the sheep are 

 easier to kill, for the heavy snow-storms which cover the 

 country bury or half-bury a large number of sheep, and as 

 they are in many cases unable to move they become an easy 



KEA COUNTRY: Arthur Valley, looking down from McKinnon Pass. 



prey to the hungry birds. In early spring the climatic 

 conditions are if anything intensified, and ordinary food is 

 still scarce. 



To add to this, the Kea often nests at this time, and 

 the work of feeding his family makes him very bold and 

 daring. During the late spring and early summer the 



