BIRDS. 



;VJU 



est contrast to the tones with which they pronounce the word "pretty 

 cocky." In a group where all are beautiful it is difficult to award the prize 

 of beauty. That experiment was tried long ago ; and if you wish to know 

 the result, turn to Homer. Certainly without any chance of producing the 

 apples of discord, we may say that the rose-crested cockatoo — white all 



Fig. 437. — Rose-crested cockatoo (Plictolophus mollucensis). 



over, except the rose-colored crest — and its near relative, the yellow- 

 crested form, are among the most beautiful of birds. In a cage one may 

 watch their motions for hours without tiring. At one moment quiet as 

 can be, they are climbing about their perches and the bars of their prison, 

 as one might say by teeth and toe-nail, using their beak like another foot, 

 and then without the slightest apparent cause, they are all excitement and 

 anger. Every feather is erect, while the magnificent crest is opened and 



