Page:The Kea, a New Zealand problem (1909).pdf/114

110 is fond of the kidney fat, I do not consider that there is enough evidence to show that this part of the beast is the main attraction.

This is supported by the fact that many cases are known of sheep-killing where the fat is untouched.

In July, 1907, I saw several sheep which had undoubtedly been killed by the Kea, and, though the muscles along the backbone had been torn off, the kidney fat was untouched.

The birds appear in many cases to eat whatever part comes first. Starting at the skin, they eat through the flesh, then on to the fat. Often the fat is only partially eaten, while the intestines have been pulled out and may be found dragging for some distance on the ground.

A correspondent states that one day he came suddenly upon two or three Keas pecking at the loin of what he supposed was a dead sheep. There was a hole in the sheep’s back, and the birds were putting their heads right through to the inside of the animal and pulling out portions of the intestines. He went over, and to his surprise found that the sheep was not dead: he killed it to put it out of pain.

It seems that the birds do not mind what part they eat when they are hungry, so long as they obtain a meal. Mr. Ewen Cameron, of Otago, gives the following instance:—“A snow-slip carried some sheep with it, and I found a sheep stuck in the snow, where it had landed, still alive, with its legs eaten to the bone, and half a dozen Keas tearing away at him.”

The evidence that has been received up to date definitely proves that the Kea does not kill the sheep for the sake of the kidneys only, and I doubt very much if they are in any way the source of attraction. As for the kidney fat being the coveted delicacy, there is some evidence to support it; but there is good reason to believe that mechanical reasons and not physiological ones determine the point of attack.

The case of the Kea is certainly unique in the fact that an insectivorous and fruit-eating parrot should develop the characteristics of a bird of prey. But, when we understand the reasons that led the bird to change its habit, much of the wonder ceases.