414 PARROTS 



as a cock does his comb, is the species most frequently seen in 

 Europe. This bird is half-domesticated in several parts r)f 

 India, as it builds its nest under the roofs of houses, and tliis 

 tameness results from its intelligence, which seems superior to 

 that of other parrots. It listens attentively, but vainly strives 

 to repeat what is said. 



As Australia, the land of anomalies in natural history, pos- 

 sesses a black swan, it also gives birth to a splendid black 

 cockatoo (Gacatua Banksii), the finest and the rarest of the 

 whole genus. 



Captain Grrey gives us an animated description of cockatoo- 

 killing in Australia. ^' Perhaps the finest sight that can be seen, 

 in the whole circle of native sports, is the killing cockatoos with 

 the kiley or boomerang. A native perceives a large flight of 

 cockatoos in a forest which encircles a lagoon : the expanse of 

 water affords an open clear space above it, unencumbered with 

 trees, but which raise their gigantic forms all around, more 

 vigorous in their growth from the damp soil in which th( y 

 flourish ; and in their leafy summits sit a boundless number 

 of cockatoos, screaming and flying from tree to tree, as thoy 

 make their arrangements for a night's sound sleep. The native 

 throws aside his cloak, so that he may not even have this slight 

 covering to impede his motions, draws his kiley from his belt, and 

 with a noiseless, elastic step, approaches the lagoon, creeping 

 from tree to tree, from bush to bush, and disturbing the birds 

 as little as possible. Their sentinels, however, take the alarm ; the 

 cockatoos farthest from the water fly to the trees near its edge, 

 and thus they keep concentrating their forces as the native 

 advances ; they are aware that danger is at hand, but are 

 ignorant of its nature. At length the pursuer almost reaches 

 the edge of the water, and the scared cockatoos with wild cries 

 spring into the air ; at the same instant the native raises his 

 right hand high over his shoulder, and bounding forward with 

 his utmost speed for a few paces to give impetus to his blow, 

 the kiley quits his hand as if it would strike the water, but when 

 it has almost touched the unruffled surface of the lake, it spins 

 upwards with inconceivable velocity, and with the strangest 

 contortions. In vain the terrified cockatoos strive to avoid it ; 

 it sweeps wildly and uncertainly through the air (and so 

 eccentric are its motions, that it requires but a slight stretch of 



