40 



For some reason (probably persistent in-breeding), 

 they are of a feeble constitntion, and many of them 

 die from French moult, that is, inability to reproduce 

 new feathers after the moult. 



Cyanorhamphus. — The Parrakeets of this genus 

 inhabit New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the Society 

 Islands. The New Zealand Parrakeet (C novce 

 zealaiidicc) is the species usually kept, and though 

 formerly common enough has been rare lately. It 

 is of a rich green colour, the forehead, crown, and a 

 streak across the eye crimson. It is a quiet, shy bird. 

 One which I kept for some time ran very quickly 

 about the floor of the bird-room, almost like a rat, 

 and, if frightened, would run behind a box or piece 

 of furniture, but it seemed to have little power of 

 flight. It was a very silent bird. It would allow 

 itself to be handled but never appeared to know one 

 person from another. The New Zealand Parrakeet 

 will breed in an aviary. 



A few years ago a good many examples of 

 C. aiiriceps were imported, and the species nested 

 successfully in an aviary at Stockport. 



The Cockatoos {Cacatuidcc) number nearly thirty 

 species, which inhabit Australia, Tasmania, and the 

 East Indian Archipelago, including the Philippine 

 Islands. Here they live in great flocks, the screams 

 from which are said to be audible even when the birds 

 are flying so far overhead as to be invisible. They do 

 great damage to the crops, as, like all Parrots, they are 

 very destructive, injuring far more than they actually 

 eat. They breed generally in hollow trees, but some- 

 times in holes in rocks and cliffs, the larger species 

 laying two eggs, the smaller species from four to six. 



All the Cockatoos are crested, but in some species 

 the crest feathers are not long enongh to be noticeable 

 except when erected. They are mostly birds of large 



