Genera - Natural History - Temper - Talking Capacity - Importation - Management.

The Cockatoo is among the best known and, in a certain sense, most favoured of the parrot tribe. The reminiscences of youthful days of which I spoke on page 3 have special reference to the Cockatoo. Cockatoos and Macaws have, indeed, been brought to Europe from the most ancient times, and are among the most characteristic of the beauties of tropical nature. The group, or lesser family, of parrots which includes the Cockatoos consists of the following genera: True Cockatoos (Plectolophus, Vgrs.); Long - tailed Cockatoos (Calypthorrhynchus, Vrgs. et Hrsf.); Macaw Cockatoos (Microglossus, Gffr.); Dwarf Cockatoos (Nasi-* tenia, Wgl.); Cockatiel (Callipsittacus, Lss.). However, only three genera come within the limits of this work, for I must omit the Long-tailed and Dwarf Cockatoos.

The Cockatoos have in general the following distinctive marks. Firstly, they are distinguished from all, or nearly all, other parrots by their feather crest, which appears in all without exception, but which is formed in various ways in the different species. Next, they have the strongest beak of all parrots, well-developed wings, and a short, straight tail, though in this last respect the Long-tailed Cockatoos are an exception.

They are natives of Australia and the islands of the Indian Archipelago. They are more frequently to be found in small woods than in the dense primeval forests. Being thoroughly tree-birds, they climb cleverly and fly well, but walk awkwardly on the ground. Their habits are similar to those of the Amazons (see page 96). Nearly all the various species live gregariously, and only the largest singly or in couples; sometimes they assemble in extraordinarily large flocks, and then they raise a fearful screaming such as is never heard from any other bird. Travellers especially mention one trait which is common to the Amazons and some others - that is, the sympathy they show for a companion which has been shot. With shrill cries of lamentation they flutter round it, and do not fly away until the sportsman has brought down others of their number. Their food consists of nuts and kernels, less frequently of fleshy fruits, besides all kinds of seeds, tubers, and, of course, maize and other grain. Like the other parrots, they build their nests in hollow trees, but some use holes in cliffs and rocks; the breeding time is during our autumn and winter months, that being the spring of the antipodes. The larger species are said to lay two or three, the smaller four to six, eggs. After nesting time the flocks feed on the crops of the settlers, and effect great damage. For this reason, as well as for their delicious flesh and their feathers, they are hotly pursued. The settlers destroy them with guns, and the natives with a missile weapon known as the boomerang. Hence they are for the most part driven from the inhabited places, and forced to retreat to the bush.

Buffon speaks emphatically in their praise. He declares that their beauty is enhanced by their pleasing ways and gentle behaviour; that they are not only pert, merry, and droll, but also active and lively; that in learning (i.e., aptitude for being trained) they appear to surpass all other parrots, but that they are far behind most species in talent for speech. Other authors also, incuding those of our own day, speak favourably of Cockatoos. "Their curiosity is unbounded," writes Lord Buxton; "indeed, one might say that they regard man and his doings with the greatest interest, perhaps not totally devoid of contempt." Mr. Friedel says: "The Cockatoo is more a thinking and philosophising bird than any other, and, on account of its intense individuality, needs especially careful management, though this unfortunately seldom falls to its lot. In zoological gardens and menageries, with large numbers of similar birds, nothing of the kind can be entertained; and in families which foster vanity and love of display by means of the bird and its cage, no one really cares for it; in both cases the Cockatoo repays such neglect by sulkiness of manner. Among middle-class people, where, although petted, it is quite as much misunderstood, it soon, by means of its great cunning and power of comprehending its surroundings, becomes master of the situation - that is, of the female members of the family, and, with its deafening scream, which renders resistance impossible, it begins a reign of terror in the household. If, however, it be once actually reduced to obedience and discipline, it knows how to disarm anger by its coaxing and comical tenderness. To a discriminating lover of birds, who is able to take account of its character, and will treat it as a sagacious companion, it displays an intelligence in comparison with which that of the dog, usually placed in the highest rank amongst animal endowments, must be accounted decidedly inferior."

One of the most sympathetic observers and zealous connoisseurs of Cockatoos is Mr. Ernest Dulitz, of Berlin, of whose description of the birds I will here avail myself: "No one who for any considerable time has noticed a really tame Cockatoo, with its beauty, its varying, pleasing, and impudently lively manner, will fail to regret that the most splendid of all parrots should so rarely be chosen as a companion and cage bird. (This arises from the cause mentioned on page 35 with regard to parrots generally.) A Cockatoo which cannot conceive any affection for its keeper, nor meets any return for the love of which it is capable, appears a cross, distrustful bird, with which, unless some change takes place in its surroundings, no one can make friends; but it is just in this peculiarity of character that its high intellectual talents may be recognised. An Amazon or a Grey Parrot is contented to have an indifferent understanding with its master, and from time to time to allow familiarities according to its humour, even though it may not return them. It is otherwise with the Cockatoo; it either loves its master with an ardent, passionate love, or it is at war with him, though very old birds that have often changed hands may be an exception to this rule. Having in the course of some years kept fifteen different species of Cockatoos, I unhesitatingly assert that no other parrot, of all those that come into the market, possesses such notable qualities, and is so likely to content an amateur who intelligently cares for and observes birds, as a Cockatoo, no matter of what species, provided, however, that it is already tame, or at least may easily be tamed. Unfortunately, such birds are by no means plentiful, and, it appears, have of late become more rare. At the present day, when ships bring over often hundreds at a time, the price has fallen to one-half and even one-fourth of their cost some fifteen or twenty years ago; yet it must not be expected that such Cockatoos will indiscriminately become a source of pleasure to their several possessors. To attain this desirable end there is no other way than going to a trustworthy-dealer and asking hirn for one which he knows for certain to be capable and tame. It is hardly possible in this case for any mistake to arise, for the experienced dealer knows each bird perfectly. But of course one must not hesitate as to price, all the less because the bird may prove a means of delight to its owner for years to come. If my advice were followed, it would not be long before amateur bird fanciers would choose the much more beautiful and engaging Cockatoo as a companion, rather than an Amazon or any other of the speaking kinds."