COCKATOOS. 



101 



Great Black 

 Cockatoo. 



The largest of all the cockatoos, and indeed one of the biggest 

 of the whole parrot tribe, is the great black cockatoo (Microglossus 

 aterrimus), of the Papuan Islands and North Australia, which is the sole represen- 

 tative of its genus, and may be compared in size to a raven. It differs from all 

 the other members of the family in that the flesh-coloured cheeks are entirely 

 naked ; and it takes its generic name from the small size of its tongue, which is 



HEAD OF GREAT BLACK COCKATOO, WITH CREST DEPRESSED. (From Guillemard's Cruise of the Marchesa.) 



slender and worm-like, and thus quite unlike that organ in other parrots. It is 

 further characterised by the upper mandible being much compressed, and narrower 

 than the lower one; while the great elongation and narrowness of the feathers 

 of the crest are also distinctive. In the living state the plumage is of a slaty 

 black tint, powdered with grey ; the forehead and lores being deep velvety black ; 

 while the feathers of the wings and tail exhibit green reflections. The naked 

 cheeks are pale red, bordered with equally pale yellow, and the bill and feet are 

 black. In length this magnificent, but funereal-looking bird, measures from 29 to 



