PARROTS. 



353 



In New Zealand the kaka parrot {N". meridionalis) has made itself something of a 

 nuisance. Since these islands were settled, and shec])-rai.sing has become a jironiinent 

 industry, the kaka has largely forsaken its diet of fruit, vegetables, anil honey, and 

 developed into a bird of prey. Wlienever a sheep dies in the fields, tiie kakas gather 

 and devour its flesh. But they are not content with this. Tliey are said to i)erch on 

 the backs of the animals when alive, and, with their strong beaks, to tear out pieces of 



. .-v">-»^ .*'*' ^^^' v^ i'>i- *'^ v^^ ^=^^;^' 



Fig. 159. — Pliclolophus moluccentit, rose^sreated cockatoo. 



flesh for food. The ordinary note of tliis species is said to resemble the bark of a 

 small dog, but it is also capable of imitating other sounds, and, if properly taught, of 

 talking. 



Licmetis contains two long-billed, white species from Australia, pop\iIarIy known 

 as the slender-billed and the digging cockatoo (Z. «<wh'm^ sinA L. jnistinator). As 

 the name indicates, one species digs in the earth for its food. 



The true cockatoos belong to the genus Cacatiia or Plictolophtm. With two 

 exceptions, the fifteen species are white. They have a short, high bill rounded or 

 VOL. IV. —23 



