THE KEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25851, 23 May 1945, Page 3

THE KEA

Sir, —It is with surprise that I, read an article on the kea by Professor Park. May I refer the professor to “A History of the Birds of New Zealand,” by Sir Walter Buller, volume 1, page 169? The first announcement of this strange development of character in the kea was made in the Otago Dally Times newspaper in the following terms;—"For the last three years the sheep belonging to a settler, Mr Henry Campbell, in the Wanaka -district, appeared afflicted with what was thought to be a new kind of disease; neighbours and shepherds were equally unable to account for it, having never seen anything of the kind before. The first appearance of this supposed disease is a patch of raw fiesh on the loin of the sheep, about the size of a man’s hand; from this, matter continually runs down the side, taking the wool completely off the part it touches; and in many cases death is the result. At last a shepherd noticed one of the mountain parrots sticking to a sheep, and picking at a sore, and the animal seemed unable to get rid of its tormentor. The runhblder gave directions to keep watch on the parrots when mustering on the high ground; the result has been that, during the present season, when mustering high up on the ranges near the snow line, they saw several of the birds surrounding a sheep, which was freshly bleeding from a small wound on the loin: on other sheep were noticed places where the kea had begun to attack them, small pieces of wool having been picked out.”

For two years I resided on a Lake District run and discussed the matter with many high-country shepherds, and all of them had seen keas attacking sheep. I myself have seen the 6cars made by keas. We all agreed that the sheep suffered a cruel, agonising death. No doubt the shepherds would give no information to a stranger. It would prejudice the interests of their employer if, at any time, he wished to sell the run. Also I can assure Professor Park that the kea is not doomed It will never become extinct.—l am, etc.. Bird Lover.