294 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
A son of the writer obtained some fine specimens by means of 
a very simple snare, the noose made of a very slender strip of flax 
leaf attached to the end of a ricker or rod. He described the bird 
as exhibiting great boldness and confidence, clambering about the 
roof of the hut, allowing avery close approach: when caught they 
remained quite still, without any of the noisy fluttering which 
usually accompanies the capture of birds, even when managed 
with adroitness ; they preserved this quiet demeanour till the 
noose had been removed. One of these birds was placed on the 
floor under an inverted American bucket, the places for the 
handle not permitting the rim of the bucket to touch the ground ; 
the Kea quickly took advantage of this, wedged its long beak into 
the space, and, using its head as a lever, moved the bucket 
sufficiently to effect an escape from its prison. 
On the other side of the river, just opposite the homestead 
where this was written, one station is greatly favoured by these 
visitors. During the winter season they become a_ perfect 
nuisance. 
On one occasion the hut was shut up, as the shepherd was 
elsewhere required for a day or two. On his return he was sur- 
prised to hear something moving within the hut, and on entering 
found it proceeded from a Kea, which had gained access by the 
chimney: this socially disposed bird had evidently endeavoured 
to dispel the ennui attendant on solitude by exercising its powerful 
mandibles most industriously—blankets, bedding, and clothes, 
were grievously rent and torn, pannikins and plates scattered 
about, everything that could be broken was apparently broken 
very carefully, even the window-frames had been attacked with 
great diligence ; in fact, the bird gave a new reading to that moral 
line of warning, “ For Satan finds some mischief still for idle 
hands to do.” 
One more instance of this bird’s mischief, or rather perhaps 
love of fun; on a back-country sheep-run, a mule packed with a 
full load of stores and sundries for one of the out-stations was 
peacefully pursuing its way, when on a sudden a Kea perched on 
the neck of the animal; this unexpected arrival was too much for 
the gravity of the mule; startled from its accustomed demure and 
patient demeanour, it plunged and kicked till it had freed itself 
both from the Kea and its well-packed burthen, the contents of 
its load being scattered in all directions. 
