Psittacus moluccensis, Gml.

Rose-crested Cockatoo (Ger., Molukken-Kakadu, rothhdubiger Kahadu, Rothhauben-Kakadu; Fr., Cacatois a huppe rouge; Dut., Rooduif Kakketoe) - Physiccd Characteristics - Speaking Capacity.

This handsome cockatoo, which Edwards described in 1751, and pictorially delineated, which Gmelin moreover named scientifically in 1788, has, like many other birds, been much confused, or mistaken, by the old authors.

The forehead, head, and sides of the neck are pure white; the front crest feathers white, the next vermilion on the outer web, and white at the point and inner web; the rest have the outer web dark, and the inner web light, vermilion. All the upper and under parts of the body are white, with a rosy shimmer, and a yellowish tone over them in a bright light; the quills are light yellow on the reverse side; the tail feathers, on that side, are orange-yellow; the lower and hinder part of the body is rose-coloured; the beak black; the cere a dark bluish-grey; the eyes black or dark-brown; eye cere bluish-white; the feet a blue blackish-grey; scales and claws black. Almost as large as a raven, it appears larger than it really is on account of the thick plumage, which is often ruffled (length 15 5/8in. to 17 1/4in.; wings, 11 3/4in. to 13 3/8in. : tail, 6 5/8in. to 7in.). It has the peculiarity of being able to ruffle not only the tuft, but also the long chin feathers.

It is indigenous to South and West Australia. On account of the pursuit it is subjected to when in freedom, this cockatoo, like its fellows, has become exceedingly shy and cautious. It is frequently taken from the nest and reared by hand.

With good treatment it reaches a great age. I have known one which was nearly one hundred years old. In general it is considered affectionate, capable, and at the same time talented in speaking. Mr. Fiedler says it is gentler, and does not cry so shrilly, as the others; it will follow its master like his shadow, and deserves to be valued for its pretty ways as well as for its beauty. Dr. Lazarus, on the contrary, found from experience that a cockatoo of this species screamed worse than any other, for its cries could be heard many hundred yards away. At such times - that is to say, when it hung in the open air, in the ring of a parrot stand, with erect flaming crest, bristling peach-coloured feathers on the chin, throat, and neck, and with outspread wings and tail - it was indeed a beautiful sight, but its ear-piercing shrieks were unbearable. Another cried less loudly and continuously, but at several intervals in the day so monotonously, that it was on that account just as wearisome. '•' The first could easily bite through the strongest chains, and its cries became at last so annoying that the neighbours seriously complained, and I was obliged to part with it. But I shall always regret that it was not possible for me to keep such an affectionate and beautiful bird. Of the three Red-crested Cockatoos which I have possessed, the last was easily taught to imitate whistling, for it soon learnt to repeat signals and melodies with a soft, flute-like voice. Whenever a barrel organ was heard in the forecourt, it tried to follow separate airs, and if it did not succeed easily in this, yet it always at once caught the time and tune. As to speaking, however, it could only say two phrases." Mr. G. Hoffmann received a young cockatoo of this species which developed a high talent for speech. It learned to repeat several sentences well, and with great expression. At the same time it never screamed unpleasantly, but uttered a not unpleasant murmur. The very varied behaviour of the different specimens of this species depends, as may easily be understood, upon whether they have been taken from the nest and reared by hand, or caught when they are already old, and then perhaps ill-treated. In the latter case it will display the more unpleasant qualities in a marked manner, and in the former the more agreeable ones. In the latter case, too, it is more obstinate and untractable than almost any other parrot.

Most birds of this species are already very tame when they come into the market. Dr. Platen brought over twenty head with him; but in general the Bed-crested Cockatoos are not frequently imported.