56 MAMMALIA 



and in no great time the manuka itself will be unable to retain its footing. 

 In such cases the manuka marks a phase in the passage to utter barrenness. 



I quote this from the report on Kapiti Island recently made by 

 Professor H. B. Kirk and Mr W. E. Bendall, as showing the far- 

 reaching effects of introduced animal life on the physiography of the 

 country. 



In connection with the introduction of sheep into New Zealand, 

 it is of interest to note the remarkable development of the carnivorous 

 habit in the kea or mountain parrot (Nestor), a bird which originally 

 fed, chiefly, if not exclusively, on a vegetable diet. In 1867 it was 

 observed in regard to certain sheep in the Wanaka district of Otago 

 that they were wounded or badly scarred on the loins. It was found 

 that this was done by keas, which lighted on the backs of the sheep, 

 and attacked them with their powerful beaks. Many shepherds in 

 the district saw the birds attack the sheep, especially when the latter 

 were in snow or were in poor condition. The keas lighted down on 

 the wool, and bit into the loin generally above the kidneys. Numbers 

 of sheep succumbed to the injuries received, the loss in the Lake 

 Hawea region being estimated at 5 per cent, annually over the whole 

 of the flocks. In the Amuri highlands in North Canterbury the annual 

 loss of *j\ to 8 per cent, was estimated to have risen to 15 per cent, 

 in 1906. All keas do not attack sheep. The habit was originally 

 acquired in the Wanaka district, and spread from there; but it has 

 now been recorded from the Takitimos in the south to Amuri in 

 the north. The origin of the habit is not very clear, but it is probable 

 that it was first learned by keas picking the fat off sheep-skins which 

 were hung on stockyards or on the wire fences, that then they 

 attacked dead sheep which are common enough in the high country, 

 especially, after heavy snowfalls and that from these they learned 

 to attack living sheep. Keas shot on mountain country have often 

 beenfound to have a good deal of both flesh and wool in their stomachs, 

 but it is quite possible that this has been taken from carcasses lying 

 in the snow drifts, where they are often preserved for a long time. 



Bharal ; Himalayan Bhurrel Sheep ; Blue Sheep (Ovis nayaur} 



In 1909 the Tourist Department liberated three of these animals 

 in the Mount Cook district. Mr J. R. Murrell, guide at the Hermitage, 

 writing in October, 1915, says : " Three were liberated, one of which was 

 in poor health. Another was caught disturbing ewes on a neighbouring 

 station, and was perhaps destroyed. The third has not been seen since 

 being liberated." 



