586 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN" INSTITUTION, 1917. 



The Australian region is inhabited by another group of beautiful 

 parrots known as lories, several species of which are usually ex- 

 hibited. 



One of the most remarkable of all the parrot tribe is the kea, or 

 mountain parrot {Nestor notabilis), confined to the South Island of 

 New Zealand. This bird was formerly abundant in the mountainous 

 parts of this region but owing to its acquired habit of killing sheep 

 has been so reduced in numbers that specimens are now very difficult 

 to obtain. The flock exhibited in an outdoor aviary near the bird 

 house was received as a gift from the New Zealand Government. It 

 was more than 10 years after the kea was first discovered in 1856 be- 

 fore it was suspected that this bird had developed the habit of killing 

 sheep, and there was considerable doubt expressed for a number of 

 years. It has been definitely proved since that although all the in- 

 dividuals of the species have not acquired this remarkable change 

 of habit, many of the birds do really kill full-grown sheep. The 

 kea lights on the rump of the sheep, clinging to the wool, and drives 

 his sharp beak into the unfortunate animal's back. The fat, flesh, 

 and intestines of the sheep are eaten by the birds, who frequently 

 go in large flocks. 



KINGFISHERS, HORNBILLS, AND OWLS. 



The kingfishers, hornbills, and owls are members of an order of 

 birds (Coraciiformes) which includes other seemingly unrelated 

 families — as the woodpeckers, humming birds, goat-suckers, and 

 swifts. It is what Coues calls a "miscellaneous assortment, grouped 

 together more because they differ from other birds in one way or 

 another, than on account of their resemblance to one another." Re- 

 cent anatomical studies have, however, shown the actual relationships 

 in many cases. 



Passing through the bird house one ma}' be suddenly startled by a 

 loud, rapidly executed, and prolonged cackling laugh. This is from 

 the throat of the giant kingfisher, or laughing jackass (Dacelo 

 gigas) an Australian bird related to our common American king- 

 fisher, but of a decidedly greater size. Near by is a representative of 

 the hornbill family, the concave-casqued hornbill (Dichoceros bi- 

 cornis), a native of the Malay region. Hornbills are found in the 

 forests of Africa, India, and many of the eastern islands, and are 

 hunted for food by the natives of some districts. In many regions, 

 however, these grotesque birds are regarded with considerable super- 

 stition and are rarely molested. These remarkable birds have a most 

 curious nesting habit. A large cavity in a tree is selected for the 

 nest and the female hornbill is confined therein by a plaster wall, 

 both birds apparently taking part in the process of masonry, which 

 makes her a prisoner until the young are hatched. During the in- 



