Page:The Kea, a New Zealand problem (1909).pdf/68

64 “It is the manner of Keas to gather together thus and talk to one another in a way which seems quite comprehensible to themselves.

“We threw stones at them to try and make them shift their quarters, but this only had the effect of bringing them back to renew their investigation. Finally we stopped their hideous clamour by hiding the drinking cup, whereupon they slowly dispersed with an injured air.”

Not only do they worry and plague the traveller while he is in camp, but they often follow him up a mountain as though loth to see the last of him. Mr. A. P. Harper gives the following amusing incident in his book.

“Ever since sunrise I have been the object of considerable attention from some Keas.

“At first there were only two or three, but afterwards their numbers increased to fifteen or more. They joined me on the south side of the Fox Glacier, and annoyed me considerably by their inquisitiveness, while I was taking some bearings and photographs, one of them alighting on my back as I was looking at my compass. When crossing the Chancellor Ridge, the Keas that I referred to followed me on the wing; but, owing to the ice being very slippery, my progress was too slow for them; therefore, alighting on the ice, they began to follow me on foot.

“Whenever a Kea makes its appearance we are prepared for some good fun, as their antics are most ludicrous, and their conversation, which is incessant, is almost expressive enough to enable one to understand what they mean. I have had considerable experience with these birds, but have never seen such an extremely funny proceeding as on this particular morning,

“The Keas, having settled on the ice, began to follow in a long straggling line, about fifteen of them. They have a preternaturally solemn walk, but when in a hurry they hop along on both feet, looking very eager and very much in earnest. To see these fifteen birds hopping along behind in a string, as if their lives depended on keeping me in sight, was ridiculously comic.