KEA HUNTING. 



125 



down to the water's edge. You now look out for the best 

 camping ground you can find. Having found a place that suits 

 you, you hobble the horses, after taking them back to the last 

 bit of good feed you passed, pitch your camp, tie up and feed 

 the dogs, break birch twigs for a bed, get supper, read for a 

 while before ' lights out,' and then sleep. And how you sleep 

 among the mountains after a long day's ride or climb ! Now 

 you are in the very heart of the Kea country, and perhaps you 



KEA COUNTRY: In pursuit op the Kea in Summer. Fording the 

 Atoca Eivek. 



rouse up to hear the dogs barking and the Keas singing out 

 overhead. Or you have been dreaming that you are on your 

 way back to the station with the pack-horse loaded up with 

 Keas' heads and your fortune made, and you wake to find a 

 dog loose among the ' tucker.' In either case it's time to get 

 up and get a move on if you are to be among the Keas 

 before they camp for the day. Having breakfasted on the 

 inevitable chops, you pack your lunch for the day's hunting, 

 the said lunch consisting of more chops (cold), slice of bread 



