Page:The Kea, a New Zealand problem (1909).pdf/118

that I thought the Kea might fancy, hunting in all likely situations, both in the forest and the mountain side, I found only a very meagre supply.

Not only is food scarce in winter, but the sheep are easier to kill, for the heavy snow-storms which cover the country bury or half-bury a large number of sheep, and as they are in many cases unable to move they become an easy

Kea country: Arthur Valley, looking down from McKinnon Pass.

prey to the hungry birds. In early spring the climatic conditions are if anything intensified, and ordinary food is still scarce.

To add to this, the Kea often nests at this time, and the work of feeding his family makes him very bold and daring. During the late spring and early summer the