Page:The Kea, a New Zealand problem (1909).pdf/52

48 than a charge of blasting powder would suffice to force an entrance.

It is a mistake to suppose that the Kea builds always in such inaccessible positions, though they seem to be the favourite places. The choice is influenced to a large extent by the nature of the surrounding country.

If the mountain sides are pierced by these long narrow tunnels, running for many feet into the rock, these are used; but, if they are not available, the Kea makes use of whatever comes to hand, such as a cairn of stones or a hole in a clay bank.

Even as late as 1882 its egg was unknown to science, and Mr. Potts at that time said it was yet to be described. Even to-day Kea’s eggs are scarce, and one collector has a standing offer to pay £1 per egg.

Though there are several rough descriptions of Kea’s nests already published, I have never seen a description that goes into much detail; and, as far as I know, there were no photographs of nests until those I got were secured.

In order to see a nest myself, and also to procure some photographs of the tunnels in which the Kea builds, I made an excursion up the Rakaia Gorge, into the heart of the Southern Alps, in July of 1907.

Through the kindness of Mr. R. Urquhart, the manager of the Mt. Algidus Station, I was able to make my headquarters at that homestead, one of the centres of the Kea-infested districts. In 1906 Mr. Urquhart had discovered a nest in a gorge, and, as it was practically undamaged, he had offered to lead me to the spot if I could pay him a visit.

The day of our excursion was preceded by a night of heavy hail and snow storms, which swept round the homestead with terrific force. The morning broke wet and gloomy, and the whole adjacent country was enveloped in driving clouds and sleet. Nothing could be seen of the mountain ranges that hemmed us in on every side, except their wooded bases, over which torrents of muddy water streamed down to the valley.