162 THE SPEAKING PAUROTS. 



greyish-black, veined witli yellow, grey underneath, also veined 

 with yellow ; the hinder part of the body and the under coverts 

 of the tail with broad transverse undulating lines of yellow. 

 The plumage of the young birds resembles that of the adult 

 female, but is of a darker brownish-grey ; the spot on the ear 

 of a dull brown yellowish-red ; the young male bird has already 

 a pale yellowish colour on the cheeks ; the belly and tail under- 

 neath are brightly veined with yellow ; the lower side of the 

 wing has a broad white transverse stripe. In size it is scarcely 

 as large as a jackdaw (length, 12in. to loin. ; wings, G^in. to 

 6^in. ; tail, ofin. to G^in.). 



It is found throughout almost the whole of Australia. Its 

 abode is principally in the broad inland plains, yet it appears 

 at irregular intervals in different districts as a migratory bird, 

 or perhaps as a bird of passage. 



The development of this bird has been closely observed in 

 captivity, and the account given by Gould has been fully con- 

 firmed. It has been bred since the year 1846, and may 

 be found in many aviaries or cages as a brood bird. It lays 

 four, six, or even eleven eggs, and, as in captivity it regularly 

 rears two, three, or even more broods, it may also be supposed 

 to do the same in freedom. At the same time, it is one of the 

 healthiest and most hardy cage birds, and has often been left 

 throughout the winter in rooms without a fire, or even in the 

 open air. A description of the breeding is given in my books 

 mentioned on page 4. 



In a cage, the Oockatiel, as a rule, appears very stupid and 

 shy ; in its native land, on the contrary, it is* accounted very 

 easily tamed and gifted in speech. If one wishes to make a 

 trial of this bird, it is necessary to take a young Joey which can 

 fly and feed itself, and teach it to speak according to the 

 directions given on page 41 and following pages. Such a bird 

 becomes tame surprisingly soon ; it is also affectionate, and, as 

 has been remarked, learns some words, though with a thin child- 

 like voice ; it can also learn to pipe airs and to whistle the 

 songs of all sorts of birds. Joeys are annually imported in con- 

 siderable numbers, as well as being bred rather numerously ; 

 it is not, however, very numerous in the market. So far as I 

 know, speakers of this species have never been offered for sale. 



