190 Bird-Song : and New Zealand Song Birdi 
species; the cry of the kaka is, however, a broader sound ■ 1 
as shrill as that of the kea. 
If, as is almost certain, the name of the kea is, like that of 
many of the New Zealand birds, echoic, it should be spelt kia 
not kea. As it is confined to the Alpine regions of the South' 
Island, being unknown in the North, there is little variation 
in the name, the only spelling being kea, kia, keha. 
The kea is the humorist among New Zealand birds; he seems to 
spend a great part of his life in play, and makes an affectionate 
and amusing pet. He will settle on the boot of a seated man 
and attempt to draw the nails or pull out the laces; he investi¬ 
gates everything; tests the strength of the tent-canvas, and if it 
is below standard joyfully tears it to shreds as it deserves; he 
will enjoy himself dropping stones over a vertical edge, watching 
their fall; or in glissading, noisily screaming in his enjoyment, 
down the tin roof of a glacier hut, to the exasperation of those 
trying to sleep within. If a stone is thrown at him, he watches 
it and jumps over it; he has more patience in amusing than the 
watcher in being amused. 
