The Kea: a New Zealand Problem

Abstract

FEW birds have attained to greater notoriety than the New Zealand kea, and every naturalist has long beerr familiar with the strange story of its sheep-killing propensities. The change of habit which it is supposed to have undergone since the introduction of sheep into New Zealand has formed the subject of much discussion by writers on evolution, but it appears that a great deal of theorising has been based upon a singularly small amount of trustworthy evidence. Serious doubt having been cast upon the generally accepted stories, Mr. G. R. Marriner, the curator of the public museum at Wanganui, set himself the task of collecting all the evidence available and personally investigating the habits of this remarkable bird, and the results of his inquiry have been published in a very valuable and readable book. The case has been fairly tried, and the kea stands condemned on abundant evidence. The executioners have long been at work. They did not think it necessary to wait for the result of the trial, and the large sums of blood-money paid for kea heads must have done a good deal to keep the birds in check, though their haunts in the remote mountain regions of the South Island are often so inaccessible that it may well be doubted whether they will ever be exterminated. Those who love bird-life better than mutton will probably hope not.

The Kea: a New Zealand Problem.

By G. R. Marriner. Pp. 151. (London: Williams and Norgate, 1909.) Price 7s. 6d. net.