Curious Birds.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7972, 8 November 1905, Page 2

Curious Birds.

HABIT* OK TIIK KKA. IXTEUKNTJXU STORIES. Kca lore was brought out in abundance, «(, t'hu last meeting of tho J'hilosophicnl Society, WeHijig-loii.aml many stork's were (old of this curious bird. Mr 'Hamilton, related some good stories illustrating the bird's insatiable curiosity. A- shoop hail boon killed at a Southern station 'in (hi! mountains, ami a pair of koas having, in their accustomed fashion, carefully watchod from a neighbouring tree thv whole process, were just about to 'take Iheir flight, when n coach arrived and deposited two "bul,ib)yjocks." the lirst seen in' Mm district. The koas at once showed n .keen interest in the strange birds, which turned to excitement as the. 'turkeys, relieved at Iheir emancipation, set ii]) a gratified gobble. As it was not repealed, the keas uttered Iheir own (cry—" k.e-a ke-a"— to to which Ihe turkey cocks responded, [and for the rest of the afternoon tinJ parrots amused themselves by setting j the turkeys -gobbling. Mr Chapman, ) who had a tame kea for some time, I icinarkid on 11 he great «*,. n lv C1 .,, a . lure made ofils tongue fin pursuing ils invisl'igalions, the .organ beingvery long, of unusual shape, and evidently very sensitive. A very interesting paper by Mr .'/. Cowan.-Votes on some. South| Tstaiwl birds and Maori associations in conned ion I herewith.'' gave rise to an interesting discussion, paHicularlv in regard to the habits of the k c , n parrot It appeared that -there is not n trace of actual evidence in support of the general impression that the bird has developed carnivorous habits, and doWd'oys sheep, audi all Hie 1 members who had personal knowledge of t'h.i kea Wore sceptical on the subject. T{ogret was expressed tha? local bodies are spelling- lnrgx- sums in endeavouring- lo exterminate a most interesting- bii-'il. whose solo real offence seems lo ho ||vat he sometimes inclulgos his taste for cherries.