Sheep Killed by Keas.

The first dead sheep was found at the foot of the Rolleston Range, about ten miles above the Rakaia Forks, on a broad expanse of river-flat, known at the homestead as the “Top Flat.” The animal was a merino ram, in splendid condition, and, from the place in which it was found, it had apparently been chased by the bird or birds until it was cornered where two wire fences met, and there injured. The sheep was quite dead, and lying on its wounded side. On turning the beast over we found an ugly black-looking wound on the right loin at 11 in. from the tail. The hole was 5 in. long by 4 in. wide The wool was all torn off, and the flesh was removed so that the transverse processes of lumbar vertebræ were visible. Though a deep hole had been made in the flesh, the birds had not reached the body-cavity, nor had they injured the kidneys, and from the appearance of the animal it seemed as if it had died from blood-poisoning. Further up the back there were several other places where the wool had been picked. We proped the sheep up in order to photograph it, and on returning next day we found that the keas had evidently been at it, as was shown by the wool which was scattered around the carcase.

On the same flat we noticed another merino ram which had apparently been picked, and on rounding up the mob and capturing the animal we found a V-shaped scar 6 in. by 4 in. on the right loin. The sheep was still running with the mob, but, as the wound was dirty and very much festered, there was all probability of the animal succumbing to its injuries.

On my return to the Lake Coleridge Station I found that during my short absence the keas had been at work, and a wounded sheep was found dead near the homestead. Through the kindness of Mr. J. Murchison, who kept it for me, I was