INSESSORES. 9 



The Rose-breasted Cockatoo possesses considerable power 

 of wing, and frequently passes in flocks over the plains with 

 a long sweeping flight, at one minute displaying their beau- 

 tiful silvery grey backs, at the next by a simultaneous change 

 of position bringing their rich rosy breasts into view, the 

 effect of which is so beautiful that it is a source of regret to 

 me that my readers cannot participate in the pleasure I have 

 derived from the sight. I was informed by the natives of 

 the Namoi that the bird had but recently arrived in the dis- 

 trict, and they supposed it had migrated from the north. 

 During the years 1839 and 1840 it bred in considerable 

 numbers in the boles of the large Eucali/pti skirting the 

 Nundewar range, and afforded an abundant supply of young 

 ones for the draymen and stock-keepers to transport to Sydney, 

 where they were sold for a considerable sum to be shipped 

 to England ; and as the bird is very hardy, bears cold and con- 

 finement extremely well, and is perfectly contented in a cage, 

 there are, perhaps, more of this species living in Europe at the 

 present time than of any other member of the genus. In 

 Australia I have seen it as tame as the ordinary denizens 

 of the farm-yard, enjoying perfect liberty, and coming round 

 the door to receive food in company with the pigeons and 

 poultry, amongst which it mingled on terms of intimate 

 friendship. 



In a letter received from my friend Captain Sturt, he says, 

 " The Rose-breasted Cockatoo is a bird of the low country 

 entirely, and limited in the extent of its habitat, never being 

 found in any great number on the banks of the Darling, or 

 rising higher than 600 feet above the level of the sea. It 

 feeds on SalsolcB, and occupies those vast plains which lie 

 immediately to the westward of the Blue Mountains. It has 

 a peculiar flight, and the whole flock turning together show 

 the rose-colour of the under surface with pretty efl'ect." I 

 have not yet seen specimens of this bird from any part of 

 the Swan River colony, neither did I observe it in any part 



