TNSKSSORES. 17 



Sp.399. CALYPTORHYNCHUS NASO, Gould. 

 Western Black Cockatoo. 



Calypiorhynchus naso, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part iv. p. 106. 



Kar-rak, Aborigines of the mountain and lowland, and 



Keer-jan-dee of the Aborigines of the northern districts of Western 



Au<^tralia. 

 Red-tailed Black Cockatoo of the Colonists of Swan River. 



Calyptorhynchus naso, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, voL v. pi. 9. 



The characters by which this species is distinguished from 

 the Cali/pforJii/ncJius macrorhpichus are a smaller bill aud a 

 shorter and more rounded crest. The bill is moreover inclined 

 to be gibbous, like that of C. leachii, to which species it also 

 offers a further alliance in its shorter contour and more rounded 

 crest and short tail. 



The extent of range enjoyed by the Calj/pforht/nchus naso I 

 have not been able to ascertain; it appears to be most numerous 

 in the colony of Swan River, where it inhabits all parts of the 

 country. As might be expected, its general economy closely 

 resembles that of the other members of the genus. Except 

 in the breeding-season, when it pairs, it may often be observed 

 in companies of from six to fifteen in number. 



It breeds in the holes of trees, where it deposits its snow- 

 white eggs on the soft dead wood. They are generally placed 

 in trees so difficult of access that even the natives dislike to 

 climb them. Those given to Gilbert by the son of the colonial 

 chaplain were taken by a native from a hole in a very high 

 white gum, in the last week of October ; they are white, one 

 inch and eight lines long by one inch and fom* lines broad. 



It flies slowly and heavily, and while on the wing utters a 

 very harsh and grating cry, resembhng the native name. 



The stomach is membranous and capacious, and the food of 

 those examined contained seeds of the EiicalpjH, Banhsia, &c. 



The sexes differ considerably in the colour of the tail. 



The male has the entire plumage glossy greenish black ; 



VOL. II. c 



