72 



ELEMENTS OF OENITHOLOGX. 



Zealand, which is also the home of another kind as exceptional 

 in its habits as is the Owl-parrot in its plumage. This second 

 kind is the Kea Parrot (Nestor notabilis), which has acquired 

 the bad habit of feeding upon Sheep, which they will kill by 

 puncturing them in the back, and tearing down upon the 

 kidney, the fat of which they greedily devour. 



Fig. 73. 



'^^ 



The Owl-parrot {Siringopa habroptUm). 



It is generally supposed that we have here an instance of an 

 extraordinary change in habit and instinct, and that the Bird 

 was exolusiviely a vegetable-feeder tiU the introduction of sheep 

 into New Zealand. Dr. H. Woodward, F.E.S., has, however, 

 suggested to us, as by no means improbable, that this Bird in 



