A QUEER BIRD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15499, 5 January 1914, Page 5

A QUEER BIRD.

THE MAN-EATING KEA„

DISCOVERED BY AMERICAN PAIFP

\ ST.'.n? i.rvo discovery, but one which wiil not cause New Zealanders to quit the country, has been made by an American paper, the Oregon Sunday Journal, published at Portland. The news is contained in the 'allowing article: —

" Parrots are nearly'all vegetarians. There is one exception. The exception is a terrible man-eating parrot, called the kea, which devour, human flesh with evident enjoyment, It is supposed that the kea was once a mild-mannered bird, satisfied with fruit. It is not now. " The kea is a native of Australia, and, although quite rare, several specimens were recently found in New Zealand. It is thought that the kea developed its murderous habits through the eating ,of sheep. At first dead sheep satisfied it, but later only live sheep would do. As the birds became stronger and bolder they learned to attack unprotected men who were unable to defend themselves. In this way they developed a taste for uman flesh. The kea is a large, strong variety of parrot, has a sharp, curved beak, and long talons. It usually attacks after dark and flies down upon its victim, who is unarmed and defenceless. No recent deaths from attacks of the kea have been discovered in Australia, but because the terrible bird seems to be increasing in number methods for complete extermination are being used.