New Zealanders in Berlin Cages

Cue (NZERS), Issue 24, 31 May 1945, Page 36

New Zealanders in Berlin Cages

For some years now a party of New Zealanders has been held in captivity in Berlin. From all reports they have been treated! very well since their arrival, but it is, of course, impossible to tell whether they have survived the continual bombing attacks or the Russian battering of the German cap tai. The captives in question are six keas which were sent to the Berlin Zoo by a wool buyer, Bruno- Beyer, about eight years ago. They were caught in the Hollyford Valley, and for a time were on exhibition in the lounge of a Duned n hotel. The birds created a lot of interest in Berlin, and a report on their safe arrival and well-being was broadcast to, New Zealand. Later, the director of the Zoological Gardens wrote to those responsible for sending him the birds and enclosed photographs of them in their new home. ’’They represent one of the most interest mg varieties in our collection,’’ he wrote, ’’and now that they have become accustomed to the food we give them, we hope to keep them for a long time.’’ The kea is an interesting bird. Its haunts arc in the high country of the

South Island where it has made many friends among tourists, and many enemies among the sheep-farmers. It is a friendly bird with a definite sense of humour, a liking for shiny articles, and a keen resentment for acts of hostility. It indulges in .petty thieving much in the same way as the magpie, .and, there is noth it likes more than a mirror. Tobogganing down the roof of a tent or a tin hut is another popular pastime. Farmers charge the kea with attacking sheep and lambs, and causing serious loss of life in high country areas. So much evidence was collected as to the depredations of the birds that the 'Government agreed to pay the sum -cif five shillings a beak for them. Even »so there is little chance of the mountain parrot dying out as it nests in almost inaccessible spots. Whatever destruction, the birds cause to sheep, they do a great deal, in keeping down pestiferous insects. The cry of the kea is compared-with the mewing of a cat, but it also utters a whistle, a chuckle, and a suppressed scream. No doubt, the Berlin keas have omitted the chuckle from their repertoire in recent times.