102 



PARROTS. 



31 inches, some 10 of which are taken up by the tail. The largest specimens come 

 from the mainland of New Guinea, those inhabiting the Aru Islands being con- 

 siderably smaller. The tongue occupies only a small space in the enormous mouth, 

 and has been compared to a round pink worm with a black head, and is partially 

 extensile. The colour of the naked skin of the face is subject to considerable varia- 

 tion in the living bird, and, at times of excitement, owing to a kind of blushing 



GREAT BLACK COCKATOO, WITH CKEST ERECTED (J liat. size). 



process, becomes of a deep blood-red. That the enormously powerful bill of this bird 

 must have some special use is quite evident, and its particular office has been described 

 by Mr. Wallace in the following interesting account of the creature's habits : " The 

 great black cockatoo," writes this observer, " frequents the lower parts of the forest, 

 and is seen singly, or at most two or three together. It flies slowly and noiselessly 

 and may be killed by a comparatively slight wound. It eats various fruits and 

 seeds, but seems more particularly attached to the kernel of the kanary-nut, which 

 grows on a lofty forest-tree (Canarium commune), abundant in the islands where 



