55 



gatherings, as it is by no means a rare occurrence for a score of noisy Parrots to be perched on 

 the roof of a hut at one time. A son of the writer obtained some fine specimens by means of a 

 very simple snare — the noose made of a slender strip of flax-leaf attached to the end of a ricker 

 or rod. He describes them as exhibiting great boldness and confidence, clambering about the 

 roof of the hut, and allowing a very 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 ; and 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, taking 

 advantage of this, wedged its long beak into the space, and using its head as a lever, it moved the 

 bucket, raising it sufficiently to effect an escape from its prison. This bird appears to be very 

 local in its distribution ; but a straggler has now and then been observed far from its usual haunts ; 

 for in one instance we have a note of its occurrence at the Horoata, in the Malvern Hills, close to 

 the edge of the Canterbury Plains." 



The penchant for raw flesh exhibited by this Parrot in its wild state is very remarkable. 

 Those that frequent the sheep-stations appear to live almost exclusively on flesh. They claim the 

 sheep's heads that are thrown out from the slaughter-shed, and pick them perfectly clean, leaving 

 nothing but the bones. An eye-witness has described this operation to Dr. Hector as follows : — 

 Perching itself on the sheep's head, or other offal, the bird proceeds to tear off the skin and 

 flesh, devouring it piecemeal, after the manner of a Hawk, or at other times holding the object 

 down with one foot, and with the other grasping the portion it was eating, after the ordinary 

 fashion of Parrots. The plan usually adopted on the stations for alluring this bird, is to expose 

 a fresh sheep-skin on the roof of a hut ; and whilst engaged in tearing up the bait, it is easily 

 approached and snared. 



In connexion with the flesh-eating propensity of the Nestor notabilis, I may mention a very 

 remarkable case that occurred within my own experience, in which a whole fraternity of caged 

 Parrots took to " cannibalism," if I may so term the killing and devouring of one another, with- 

 out necessity, and in defiance of their natural habits and instincts. I had the following Parrots 

 associated together in one compartment of my aviary at Wanganui, viz. two King Lories 

 (Aprosmictus scapulatus), a pair of Eosellas (Platycercus eximius), a pair of Blue Mountain- 

 Parrots (Platycercus pennantii), and a Grass-Parrot (Platycercus semitorquatus), all of them 

 species indigenous to Australia. For nearly two years they lived together on terms of perfect 

 amity and friendship, feeding from the same seed-troughs, often playing and coying with each 

 other, and forming a constant source of attraction by their noisy clamour and the glittering of 

 their rich plumage in the sunlight. One species alone (the last-named) was moody and shy, 

 generally retiring to the highest perch under the domed roof, and disputing its possession 



rest of the sheep. The birds then pursue it, continue attacking it, and force it to run about till it becomes stupid and 

 exhausted. If, in that state, it throws itself down, and lies as much as possible on its back to keep the birds from picking 



the part attacked, they then pick a fresh hole in its side ; and the sheep, when so set upon, in some instances dies 



Where the birds so attack the sheep, the elevation of the country is from 4000 to 5000 feet above the sea-level ; and 

 they only do so there in winter time. On a station owned by Mr. Campbell about thirty miles distant from the other, and 

 at the same altitude, in the same district, and where the birds are plentiful, they do not attack the sheep in that way." 



