THE KEA

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1929, Page 8

THE KEA

Tho 'following letter regarding the Kea, appeared in a. recent issue of the “Otago Daily Times”:— Sir, —In your “News in Brief” column this morning mention is made of the good tallies made by kea-killers in the Westland district, where those familiar with the haunts of the birds have been destroying large numbers. The kea is a perfectly harmless creature in bis own habitat.' High up in the Southern Alps lie reigns supreme, and in the Otira Gorge, that haunt of tourists, he is undoubtedly m his own domain. But legislation inspired by 'farmers’ unions has proscribed him and placed a price upon his bead, and the reward (os per beak) has caused the development of a new industry—that of kea killing—along the Otira-Arthur’s Pass road. Though there is no sheep in this locality, which is a. tourist resort and scenic reserve, and the kens are one of the most striking adjuncts to the beauty and grandeur of the place, they are pursued relentlessly for monetary gain. Surely they should find sanctuary here. Wherever the tramper or climber goes in the mountain regions, be is struck by the friendly curiosity of the kea, whose beauty brightens the otherwise lonely scene. The Otira kea hunters, with guns and call birds, proceed along the Pass road, ,climb some little way up on the face, chain the unfortunate call Idl'd to a. stump or a stone and sit down '•nicking comfortably and wait. Presently the captive bird’s cries attract several free kcajs to the spot and the shooters do the rest. 30s for a morning’s work for two men being considered very fair. Truly, an inspiring scene for travellers to remember! Only recently two keas captured ,‘SO miles from the pass wore sent forward to be used as decoys for the killers. As the small boy would say “ this is over the odds.” Normally the kea is a vegetarian, but grubs and insects form a. considerable portion of his diet, n|nd who knows the amount of good be may do in this respect? Much has been said against him, hut closer invetigation may reveal that he is the iriend of the farmer in being responsible for keeping in check some insect pest. Decent scientific research by ornithologists in America, and Europe proves that many a bird with an old-time bad name lias been acclaimed by the 1 armor “lrieiul” instead of “enemy.” AYhe.il man first entered the ken, areas lie brought sheep with him, and the iiew-llayod skins were left, carelessly lying, and a dainty morsel of fat or flesh was found by the curious kea. Later the bird was tempted, perhaps hv had conditions of weather, to hunt, for the morsel on the living sheep. AVhether all keas in all districts attackliving sheep is still to he proved. However that may ho. the section where the Otira hunters are operating is not sheep country, and it is doubtful whether the mountain parrot of that district would recognise slieep as a food. It. seems a low-down trick to pursue him for gain in localities which should he his refuge—in scenic reserves in which he ought to he safe from killers. I may state that Graham brothers, of the AVailio, the famous jruides, will not allow kea shooting in (he vicinity of the Franz Josef Glacier. The Grahams are sheep farmers, but have a sense of values, and are .sufficiently aesthetic in taste to recognise somo rights and privileges for the kea. The kea is not a graceful bird, but lie is a very handsome fellow with his splendid green plumage and scartet band on breast, and under wings; his legs are short but bis tail is long. He i.s one of our native humourists, and never fails to welcome the traveller. But unsym||;tbetiic, enemies clamour for his extinction, and there is a good • ewanl for his death. There is, however, some hope that he will survive pi spite of all. It, is a strange dispensation of Nature —shall I say?—that lie is the only native bird that is limited mercilessly and for whom no good word i.s said, vet still is a long way from extermination. The nests of the kea are built in most inacessible places, on cliffs, in the high mountains. At the end of a long tunnel the eggs are laid and hatched in safety Imm invaders. —I am, etc., EHOA 0 TE A LAND.