316 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Nestok notabilis. 



For many years the Kea ranked amongst our rarest species, and it is 

 not very long ago that a specimen fetched £25 in the London market. But 

 all this is changed, and, although still of very rare occurrence in the 

 northern parts of the South Island, and quite unknown in this island, it 

 has become a pest in the middle and southern districts ; and, owing to its 

 extraordinary penchant for live mutton, it is now so destructive on the 

 sheep-runs, that the aid of Parliament has lately been invoked to abate the 

 nuisance. 



Under these circumstances it is scarcely admissible into a paper treating 

 of rare species, but I am unwilling to lose the opportunity of laying before 

 you a very interesting letter I have received from Mr. John George 

 Shrimpton, of Southbrook, Canterbury : — 



" While residing at the Wanaka Lake, I received a letter from my 

 brother Walter (of Matapiro) to the effect that you would like a specimen of 

 the Kea or mountain parrot, and any notes of their habits which I might 

 be able to afford you. My time there was so short after receipt of his 

 letter that, although many Keas were killed, I only succeeded in getting 

 one fair skin, which I forwarded to you by mail a few days ago, and trust 

 has reached you safely. By this mail I forward a water-colour sketch of 

 some young ones drawn from nature by Mr. Huddleston. In the rocky 

 cavern, high up on the mountain, whence these were obtained, were several 

 broods of young ones of various ages and sizes. 



" I believe the Kea does not come farther north than the Bakaia Biver, 

 Canterbury, and is strictly confined to the central range and its spurs as a 

 rule, but may occasionally and will probably be more seen on those hills 

 adjacent to the main range, which attain an elevation of five thousand feet 

 and upwards. There is no doubt that, in spite of the war waged against them, 

 they are increasing very rapidly, probably owing to the plentiful supply of 

 food in the shape of mutton, which they can get, and to which they help 

 themselves most liberally. Fifteen years ago, when I first knew the Lake 

 country, it was a rare thing to see these birds on the hills even in their 

 chosen home among the snow ; but now you meet them in flocks of fifty 

 even, and so bold have they become that they will attack sheep under the 

 shepherd's immediate care. Not that they were ever very wild ; on the 

 contrary, I think they are the tamest birds in New Zealand ; and it is their 

 insatiable curiosity that has probably led them to find out the taste of 

 mutton. At first, they contented themselves with tearing up tents, 

 blankets, and sheepskins, the usual impedimenta of a musterer's camp. 

 They have now so improved upon that, that nothing less than the 

 primest mutton will suit their fastidious tastes. Though so tame that 



