YELLOW-CRESTED COCKATOO. 129 



green colour being exactly that of all the surrounding 

 foliage, they are completely und istinguishable. This, how- 

 ever, seldom continues the case long together; for such is 

 the restlessness of their habits, that they are almost inces- 

 santly shifting their place, and flying from one tree to 

 another. They live chiefly on fruits; and as soon as they 

 have stripped one tree, some one of the party flies to an- 

 other ; and it is said, that if that is found fit, he invites his 

 companions by a loud and shrill call, which they almost 

 instantly obey. These birds are frequently brought into 

 England. When properly tamed they will become suffi- 

 ciently pleasing and familiar ; and, in this state, will eat, 

 indiscriminately, bread, meat, fish, and almost all other 

 kinds of provisions. Tt is, however, to be remarked, that 

 parsley is a deadly poison to them. 



Their length is about seventeen inches. The bill and 

 claws are black. The plumage is green, except the 

 wing and tail quills, which are blue above and purplish 

 underneath. 



Yellow-crested Cockatoo. This noisy and screaming 

 bird is a native of the Molucca Islands. It is to be seen 

 in almost every exhibition of wild animals. It is taught 

 to utter words and sentences, which it does, and sometimes 

 to great length, with considerable fluency. The crest 

 upon its head is capable of being erected and depressed 

 at pleasure. 



This bird is about eighteen inches long, and of a white 

 colour, except the crest, the wing quills, and part of the 

 lateral tail quills, which are of a yellow colour. The bill, 

 the cere, legs, feet, and claws, are black. A circular 

 space round each eye is white and naked. The crest is 

 about five inches in length. 



G 5 



