96 THE COCKATOO. 



flying abroad to see what else they can obtain. 

 The rice-plantations suffer much from their visits. 

 They come in flocks of eight hundred or more at a 

 time, and settle on the field. They not only de- 

 vour the rice, but spoil as much as they eat, break- 

 ing and tearing everything around them. 



The owner of the plantation may well look upon 

 them as pests, and do all he can to destroy them. 

 In Australia, the natives often have a day's sport 

 in hunting the Cockatoos. 



The birds fly in flocks along the banks of the 

 river, and are very shy and easily alarmed. But 

 the native is skilful and patient, and knows what to 

 do. First of all, he watches near some stream 

 until he sees a flock of Cockatoos in the air. Great 

 trees surround the stream, and here the birds 

 settle to take their evening's nap. 



This matter of going to roost is not to be done 

 all at once. There is a vast amount of screaming 

 and fluttering, and flying from tree to tree, before 

 they settle. The native creeps cautiously along, 

 making not a sound. He even puts aside his 

 clothing, lest it should hinder or embarrass him. 



