O-: CACATUIU.K. 



also tears oH the bark of the larj^'er branches, or the trunks of trees, until the f:;round beneath is 

 strewed with small branches, leaves and fragments of bark. This destruction is particularly 

 noticeable in the vicinity of the trees in which they may be breeding, and 1 have frequently seen 

 an old male engaged for hours at this pastime in the tree where his mate was engaged in the 

 duties ot incubation. 



"Like all the other members of this family, it breeds in the trunks of hollow trees during 

 the months of September and October, and lays three white eggs. In July, iSSg, I obtained a 

 set of two eggs of -■Ji/H/Yii (7;/(/<M, under somewliat difficult circumstances. Having climbed the 

 tree to tlie bottom of the huge nest, seventy feet from the ground, 1 had to cut with my 

 tomahawk through the boughs and sticks of the base of the nest, when I came to the interior of 

 it, and found it simply a mass of soft mould, the result of the decomposition of the successive 

 linings of Eucalyptus leaves, placed there by the birds each season. Through this mass I easily 

 worked my arm as far as I could reach, but much to my disappointment found, by poking a thin 

 stick through, that I was still six or eight inches from the eggs. Eventually I secured both eggs 

 by affixing my soft felt hat at the bottom of the opening, and working a hole with the stick 

 sufliciently large enough for one of the eggs to fall with a dull thud through the bottom of the 

 nest into my hat, which I removed, and then obtained the second egg in a similar manner. On 

 reaching the ground I glanced up at the nest, and could see an opening of about six inches in 

 diameter rii;ht through from bottom to top. 



" Happening to pass that way about two months afterwards, I noticed a Cacatua Icadlh-aten 

 perched on one of the projecting sticks of the Eagle's nest, close to the bottom of the opening I 

 had made, and on riding beneath the tree it (lew off uttering a note of warning, which had the 

 eflect of bringing his mate out of the opening. On ascending the tree I found the Cockatoos 

 had constructed their nest inside that of the Wedge-tailed Eagles, which they had done by 

 entering at the bottom of the opening and scooping out a cavity in the mould at the side, in 

 which were three fresh eggs. 



" .\s cage birds, beyond their beauty, they are uninteresting, for I have never known an 

 instance of one being taught a word, and if allowed their liberty about a house or garden they 

 are exceedingly mischievous. It has, however, a very aflectionate nature, as well as a retentive 

 memory. One I had was much attached to me, and would follow me everywhere in my rides 

 on the run, flying from tree to tree whilst I remained in the timber, and when tired would alight 

 on my head or shoulder until he had rested. Leaving me again he would meet me later on 

 when Hearing home, but sometimes he would be absent for two or three days. On one occasion 

 I was absent from home for nine months, and altliough he did not see me return, recognised my 

 voice, instantly flew into the house and settled on my shoulder, rubbing his head against my 

 cheek, and all the while emitting a low gurgling note expressive of gratification." 



Mr. Robt. Grant, Taxidermist of the .Australian IMuseum, has given me the follow^ing 

 notes : — " I found Cacatua Icadhcatci'i in scattered pairs in the more thickly timbered parts of the 

 bush around liyrock, Glenarifl", and Bourke. In the morning they congregated in small flocks 

 of about eight or nine in number, and went to the tanks to drmk, and on one occasion I secured 

 five specimens at one shot. I liave cut down trees for their nests, and found one inside a hollow 

 limb of the tree about four feet down from the entrance ; this nest contained two fledgelings. 

 One peculiar thing I noticed underneath the nest, which was constructed of decayed wood and 

 leaves, was a layer of smooth water-worn pebbles, about four or li\e inches in depth, .\nother 

 tree I felled contained two white eggs, both of which were broken ; this nesting-place also had 

 a layer of broken pebbles four or five inches in depth. I think the reason of these pebbles being 

 placed there is to keep the eggs dry, when the rain runs down inside the limb, and that they 

 retain the natural heat of the parent bird. I'sually these birds fly together to drink in pairs, 

 for mutual protection against birds of prey, which are numerous in these districts." 



