authenticated case of their coming in force and attacking a valuable mare, which they seriously 
injured in the loins. 
On the habits of this species Mr. John George Shrimpton, of Southbrook, Canterbury, has sent 
me the following very interesting notes : — 
M hile lesiding 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 it 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 Rakaia River, 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 increas- 
ing 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 5 on the 
contraiy, 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 sheep-skins, 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 you can often knock them down with a stick, and apparently so inoffen- 
sive, a single Kea will swoop down on the strongest fat wether or hogget, fix himself firmly on its 
back, generally facing the sheeps tail, and commence digging his daily meal. Sometimes the sheep 
runs till exhausted, sometimes contents itself by trying to dislodge its adversary by a series of con- 
tortions only, but the Kea troubles himself very little about either ; he hangs on till the sheep gives 
in. He then digs away, carefully avoiding the backbone, till he reaches the kidney fat. This is his 
choicest lelish. His cries soon attract others, and between them the poor sheep is soon fitted for a 
museum. Sometimes a sheep gets away from a timid or perhaps less experienced workman ; but he 
carries with him an indelible scar. On some stations about 5 per cent, of the whole flock are 
mustered in at shearing-tinre more or less marked in this manner, and the death-rate is almost 
incredible. I have no hesitation in saying that, on the runs bordering the Wanaka and Hawea 
Lakes, the loss from Keas alone is nothing short of from fifteen to twenty thousand sheep annually, 
and these the primest of the flocks. Although Keas are seen openly enough in the daytime, there 
is no doubt they work their mischief mostly at night, a bright moonlight one being preferred. A 
severe winter, with sheep snowed in, is their great opportunity ; and this they avail themselves of 
to the uttermost. Although, like other Parrots, they are given to anything in the shape of fun or 
mischief (and, on one occasion they killed a young Kaka, tethered), I have never known them to 
seriously attack any animal other than a sheep. But as a moiety of them have advanced so far in 
the course of the last eight or ten years, it is impossible to say to what lengths they may aspire in the 
future. 
“ I cannot state for certainty that there are no Keas north of the limits I have here assigned as 
their habitat : I can only say that I have travelled over a considerable portion of that country without 
