68 



THE GREAT WHITE COCKATOO 



Psittacus cristatus, LiNN.fiCs ; Kakatoes a huppe blanche, Bupfon ; Der gemeine 

 Kakatu, BbCHSTtiN. 



The size of this bird is that of a bam-door fowl, aud its 

 length seventeen inches. The beak is blackish, and the mem- 

 brane at the base black ; the iris is dark bro\Mi, the circle of 

 the eye white. The whole of the plumage is white except the 

 large quill-feathers and the exterior feathers of the tail, the 

 imier beards of which are primrose-yellow to the centre. The 

 tuft, which the bird raises and sinks at will, is five inches ia 

 length. 



Observations. — At present, this species is only found in the Moluccas. 

 The general custom in Germany is to give it a spacious cage in the form 

 of a bell, from the top of which is hung a large metal ring, in which it 

 likes to perch. 



The food of the cockatoo is the same as that of the other large species 

 of the same family ; however, it appeal's to be very fond of vegetables, 

 farinaceous grains, and pastry. For its qualities, I cannot do better than 

 quote Buffon : 



" Cockatoos," says he, " which may he known by their tuft, are not 

 easily taught to speak ; there is one species which does not speak at all ; 

 but this is in some measure compensated for by the great facility with 

 which they are tamed ; in some parts of India they are even so tar domes- 

 ticated that they will build their nests on the roofs of the houses : this 

 facility of education is owing to their intelligence, which is very superior to 

 that of other parrots. They listen, understand, and obey ; but it is ia 

 vain that they make the same efforts to repeat what is said to them : they 

 seem to wish to make up for it by other expressions of feeliug and by affec- 

 tionate caresses. There is a mildness and grace in all their movements, 

 which greatly adds to their beauty. In March, 1775, there were two,, a 

 male and female, at the fair of St. Germain, in Paris, which obeyed with 

 great docility the orders given them, either to spread out their tuft, or sa- 

 lute people with a bend of the head, or to touch different objects with 

 their beak and tongue, or to reply to questions from their master with a 

 mark of assent which clearly expressed a silent yes : they also showed by 

 repeated signs the number of persons in the room, the hour of day, the 

 colour of clothes, &c. ; they kissed one another by touchiug their beaks, 

 and even caressed each other; this showed a wish to pair, and the master 

 affirms that they often do so even in our climates. Though the cockatoos, 

 like other parrots, use their bill in ascending and descending, yet they have 

 not their lieavy disagreeable step ; on the contrary, they are very active, 

 and hop about very nimbly." 



