NATURAL HISTORY. 



301 



CACATUA. 



Sulphurea (Lat. Sulphury), the Great Sulphur Cockatoo. 



The COCKATOOS are remarkable for the powdery surface of 

 their wings, and the crest on the head, which can be raised or 

 depressed at pleasure. The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is an 

 inhabitant of New Guinea. Its colour is white, and the crest 

 is of a sulphur yellow. Its white plumage glancing among 

 the dense dark foliage of its native forests, imparts a wonder- 

 ful beauty to the scene, and as Sir Thomas Mitchell remarks, 

 " amidst the umbrageous foliage, forming dense masses of 

 shade, the white cockatoos sported like spirits of light." This 

 Cockatoo is easily tamed, and is of a very affectionate dispo- 

 sition. When in captivity it has been known to live to the 

 age of 120 years. Its nest is built in hollow trees and the 

 crevices of rocks. The eggs are white. The length of the 

 bird is about eighteen inches. 



