Psittacus sulfureus, Gml.

Small Cockatoo, Java Cockatoo (Ger., Kleiner gelbgehdubter, Kleiner Gelbhauben, Kleiner gelbbackiger, Kleiner gelbwangiger und Gelbwanqen-Kakadu, Salonkakadu, gelbwangiger Kakadu mit gelber Haube; Fr., Petit Cacatois a huppe jaune, Petit Cacatois blanc a huppe jaune; Dut., Kleene Geelkuif Kakketoe) - Description.

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo has, from antiquity to the present time, been one of the greatest favourites among the well-known parrots. It was described by Brisson as early as the year 1760, treated of by Seba in 1764, and named by Gmelin in 1788, and it had been previously mentioned by Aldrovandi and Gessner. It is of pure white, with a deep sulphur-yellow crest, divided into two parts, bending towards the back, but with the ends curved towards the front (the first three or four feathers are white, the rest a vivid yellow, so that the forehead appears white, and the lovely yellow only becomes visible in excitement, when the cockatoo erects its crest); there is a large round spot near the ear of sulphur-yellow, inclining to orange; skin on the nose white; eyes a deep dark brown; naked skin round the eye bluish-white; feet blackish-grey; claws black. The female answers to the same description, but is said by Dr. Platen to have a light reddish-brown iris. Rather less in size than a crow (length, llin. to 12 5/8in.; wings, 8in. to 9 1/2in.; tail, 3 1/2in. to 4in.). It is one of the smallest of the Cockatoos. It is a native of Celebes, Bouton, Lombok, Timor, Floris, Sumbawa, and the islands in Tomini Bay.

The travellers Wallace, Meyer, and lately Platen, have observed its habits in freedom, but give no particulars differing from those mentioned in the Introduction to this work. S. Muller and von Martens frequently found it, as well as the Amazons, etc., in captivity amongst the natives, and kept on perches, or forked sticks, with a double ring of buffalo horn fastened on the leg.

Buffon describes its droll behaviour, lively and expressive nods, and the raising and dropping of its crest; and praises it as being gentle, tractable, and unusually affectionate towards its mistress. It is also said to be extremely clean, and therefore very beautiful in its white plumage. Mr. A. Rose speaks of one which said "Good Charles," and also danced, and when taking leave would cry, with pretty bows, "Good-bye." Every cockatoo of this species, without exception, soon becomes tame without trouble. This species is extremely affectionate, and never treacherous nor given to biting; it is also one of the healthiest and most hardy of cage birds. Its talent for speech, however, is not great, and only a few words may be expected from it.