256 APPENDIX 



the pioneer sheep- farmers to drive some portion 

 of their flocks to these higher regions above 

 the bush-line in the summer months, when the 

 winter snow had mostly disappeared. Thus, 

 about the year 1856, the kea was first dis- 

 covered. Some years passed, and little more 

 was heard or thought of it ; but presently that 

 small band of pioneers found that some of 

 their sheep at these high altitudes were being 

 attacked, maimed and destroyed in a mysterious 

 way by some unknown enemy. Dying and 

 dead animals were found, and always in these 

 high regions. 



Various theories were set afloat as to the 

 possible depredator ; but these gradually crystal- 

 lised into the belief received with scepticism 

 by many that the kea was the culprit. The 

 question was finally set at rest about the year 

 1868, when indisputable evidence was obtained 

 from shepherds who had seen the kea in the 

 act. It was thus established that a bird, little 

 larger than a common pigeon, which up to that 

 time could not possibly have fed on, or even 

 seen, any mammal alive or dead, and certainly 

 had never seen a sheep, had, in a short time, 

 acquired a taste and developed a persistence 

 and dexterity in satisfying it, that might almost 

 be termed devilish. 



