Government Steamer, “Hinemoa,” told me that he saw one flying along the beach at Bruce Bay itself.
To the east they have come down to the edge of the plains, and south almost to the coast line. The only direction in which the birds can now extend is north into Nelson and Marlborough; and, though the Keas’ northernmost limit remained at the head waters of the Esk and Hurunui Rivers for about forty years after their discovery, there has been during the last few years a spreading into these two northern provinces. The stations around Hanmer have been troubled with Keas for some years, and in 1903 Mr. Edward Kidson, while climbing Mt. Robert near Lake Roto-iti, Nelson, saw one at close quarters. This spot is about 40 miles south-west of Nelson city and 40 miles north of Hanmer. Mr H. M. Bryant, who was accompanying Mr. Kidson at the time and has done a lot of mountaineering in the Nelson province, states that he had never before seen one in that district; while the late owner of the station at Mt. Robert told him that it was the first time that a Kea had been seen on his run.
Through the kindness of Mr. G. R. Kidson, I am able to record two other instances in the Nelson province. In 1904 a Kea was caught by Mr. A. G. Hammond at Appleby, only thirteen miles south-west of Nelson city, and in the same year Mr. T. S. Rowling caught one at Riwaka, a few miles north of Motueka, about 50 miles north-west of Nelson and 95 miles north of Hanmer.
This is at present the northernmost limit of the Kea’s area of distribution, which may be defined on the north as reaching the shores of Cook Strait.
Through the aid of Mr. T. E. Currie, I can now publish reports of the Kea’s presence in the Marlborough province, where before it was practically unknown, showing that in addition to travelling up north-west through Nelson, they are also travelling up north-east through Marlborough.
In January, 1906, one was found at the head of the Waihopai River, at a place known as the Glazebrook Whare.
Again, in May, 1906, one was seen on the Tarndale
