On the Kea Parrot of New Zealand.



281



itself make a charming pet, and there is always a drawback

in possessing too many, for one is unable to make the most of

their individual charms, or to devote time to taming them, were

they fewer.


A pair of Himalayan Ruby-Throated Warblers in an aviary

by themselves, in which large boulders were naturally piled up,

with ferns and rock-loving plants amongst them would be as

pretty a sight as you could well have, and prettier still would it

be if these charming little birds were to build amongst the stones-

and rear their spotted brood.


One would want a tiny stream trickling amongst the

boulders to form a shallow pool below, where dainty feet would

trip, and daintier plumage be refreshed by falling drops.



THE KEA PARROT OF NEW ZEALAND.


SOME NOTES ON TRAPPING.


By Edgar F. Stead.


[From The Weekly Press , Christchurch, N.Z , Feb. 26th, 190S.]

Having for four years tried to get some photographs of

keas, and also some live birds and eggs, I readily accepted an

invitation to visit Glentliorn, the last station back up the Wilber-

force, where from past experience, I knew that I should receive

every kindness and assistance. There are, moreover, at Glen-

thorn several keas, more or less tame, kept as call birds, and

these would be invaluable. From behind the homestead, a steep

broken range runs away up the Wilberforce, broken every mile

or so by deep gullies, partly bush clad, and partly bare rock and

shingle. In one of these ravines, appropriately named the Jagged

Spur Gully, I had years ago seen several keas, and it was there

that I decided to go 011 my latest trip.


Saturday morning, January nth, therefore, found me in

the train for Glentunnel, whence I was driven to Mr. Phillips’s

station, The Point. There I met a friend, H., and, in company

with him left The Point on Tuesday for Lake Coleridge, Mr.

Phillips kindly lending us a buggy and a nice tame horse for

the journey up to Glentliorn and back.



