THE COCKATOOS. 145 



apply to it. The cockatoos suffer from the same cruel method 

 of pursuit as parrots generally ; for this reason principally they 

 become shy and mistrustful, though by nature they are harmless 

 and affectionate birds. 



The cockatoo under notice is one of the commonest objects 

 of the bird market, yet it is not seen so frequently as the Lesser 

 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. With proper management (see Intro- 

 duction, page 7) it is healthy and hardy, attains a great age 

 in the cage, learns to dance, and do other tricks, but only speaks 

 a few words, and can laugh like a human being. It is especially 

 necessary to be careful in dealing with it, for many Greater 

 Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are extremely vicious ; even those 

 which otherwise behave well are inclined to bite strangers. 

 Mr. Dulitz describes a hen which he possessed as pleasing, 

 affectionate, and clever: *'It outdoes any cat in stealing and 

 pilfering dainties, and is exceedingly fond of all sorts of tricks 

 and practical jokes, draws my wife's needles out of her knitting, 

 &c. At first it only said its name, afterwards it learnt, * Well, 

 where is my Martha ? ' but never anything more." As a dis- 

 tinction of sex, Mr. Dulitz can only mention with certainty that 

 the male utters a dissyllabic and the female a monosyllabic cry, 

 which latter sounds less harsh. 



CHAP. XLVIII.— THE GREATER WHITE-CRESTED 

 COCKATOO. 



Psittacna leucdlophua, Lss. 



The Greater White-crested Cockatoo (Ger., Weissgehduhter oder 

 Weisshciuhiger Kakadu, grosser iveisser Kakadu mit weisser 

 Hauhe, Weisshauhen-Kakadu ; Fr,, Grand Cacatois a huppe 

 hlanche; Dut., Witkuif Kakketoe) — Description. 



This, again, is a species known from ancient times, which 

 has been much written about and well described, and yet 

 with regard to which many errors prevail, while, as to 

 its habits, we have no knowledge. Even in Aldrovandi's work 

 we find a picture of the Great White-crested Cockatoo, though, 

 it is represented with an upright tail like that of a hen. 

 Pigafetta also speaks of it, Brisson and Latham describe it 



