i6S ■ STORIES ABOUT UIRDS. 



we shall tell you presently, but of a light rosy tint, and with a sulphur- 

 coloured crest. They like to fly about on the banks of the rivers where 

 there are great trees close by ; and here they enjoy themselves as the parrots 

 do, and bathe, and take their afternoon naps, and lead pretty much the same 

 sort of life. 



The native thinks nothing is better sport than to go out to shoot 

 cockatoos. He has to be very careful, for the birds are extremely shy, and if 

 they catch sight of him will fly away to a distance. So when he has seen the 

 flock of birds in the air, which he is almost sure to do if he goes in the right 

 direction, he hides himself behind a bush. Then he creeps in the most 

 cautious manner, and contrives to come as near to them as he can. 



The birds, meantime, are going to roost on the trees, and make as much 

 noise and uproar as the parrots. They spy out the native before long, for 

 there are several cockatoos on the watch ready to give the alarm, and they 

 huddle together as close as they can, and begin to be frightened. 



The native has a spear in his hand that he manages in a very clever way. 

 He flings it among the birds so that it spins about and knocks one or two of 

 them down. Of course, they rise up, and try to fly away ; but, whichever 

 way they turn, some unlucky bird is sure to meet with a blow from the spear. 



The cockatoo is, as we told you, very affectionate, and the native is 

 unkind enough to trifle with his feelings. He picks up a poor wounded bird, 

 and fastens it to a tree. The bird makes a piteous outcry, and its friends 

 and companions come back to see what is the matter. Then the native 

 throws his spear, and knocks some more of them down. 



Almost all the cockatoo family are dressed in light rosy-coloured 

 plumage. But there is a great black cockatoo that, as his name tells you, 

 wears nothing but sable. He is a very curious bird, and lives in Australia, 

 and also in the islands near New Guinea, where the Birds of Paradise have 

 their home. 



He has rather a small body, but liis head is very large indeed, and he 

 has a crest of black feathers. His cheeks are red, and as for his bill, you sec 

 what it is like by looking in the picture. 



That bill of his can crack the hardest nut in the forest. The nuts grow 

 on a very tall tree, and the shell is as hard as iron. No other bird can 

 manage to get out the kernel except the black cockatoo. He holds the nut 

 in his foot, and wraps it in a leaf to keep it from slipping, for it is very 



