Psittacus ophthalmicus, Scl.

Blue-eyed Cockatoo (Ger., Brillenkakadu, Salomon-Kakadu, Kakadu rait blauem Augenkreis, blauaugiger Kakadu, Nackt-augen-Kakadu, Kakadu mit gelber bangender Haube; Fr., Cacatois ophthalmique, Cacatois a yeux bleus, Cacatois a lunettes; Dut., Blauwoog Kakketoe) - Description.

This cockatoo has only been known since the year 1862, when a living specimen was presented to the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park, and described and drawn by Dr. Sclater in the "Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London." It is white; the feathers on the forehead are white, and then come long, light-yellow crest feathers, hanging towards the back; the reverse side of the quills has the inner web yellow, and the reverse of the tail feathers at the base is yellow; the beak black; the cere grey; the eyes dark brown; a large featherless blue circle round the eyes; the feet grey, with black scales and claws. Generally it is nearly as large in size as a raven, but often much smaller (length, 12 3/8in. to 14in.; wings, 10in. to 10 3/4 in.; tail, 5 1/4in. to 6 1/4in.).

It is a native of Solomon Islands, New Ireland, and New Britain. In the last-named place it is said by Layard to be exceedingly common, to be killed in large numbers, and to afford a very savoury soup. It is also frequently tamed by the natives. It is still rare in the trade, as well as at bird shows.