THE GREAT WHITE COCKATOO. 137 



38. THE GREAT WHITE COCKATOO. 



Cristatus, LIN. Kakatoes a huppe blanche, BUF. Der Gemeine 

 Kakatu, BECH. 



Description. The Great White Cockatoo is about the size 

 of a Barn-door Fowl, and measures seventeen inches in length. 

 The beak is blackish ; the naked membrane black ; the iris 

 dark brown ; the circle of the eyes bare and white. The 

 whole plumage is white, with the exception of the large pen 

 feathers, and the outermost feathers of their tail, which, half 

 way from the root, are on the inner side sulphur-coloured. The 

 crest on the head is five inches in length, and is elevated or 

 depressed at the will of the bird. 



Observations. This bird is a native of the Moluccas. It is 

 generally kept in a large bell-shaped cage, made of wire, and 

 provided with two perches, and a large metal ring, in which it 

 likes to swing. It is to be treated like other Parrots, but, as 

 well as the species next to be described, is very fond of pastry 

 and various leguminous seeds. 



Of the peculiarities of the Cockatoo, as a Cage-bird, BUFFON 

 writes as follows : " The Cockatoos, of which there are eight 

 or nine species, all of which may be recognised by the tuft, 

 are not easily taught to speak. The facility, however, with 

 which they are tamed compensates in some degree for this de- 

 fect. The ease with which they are reared seems to arise from 

 their docility, in which they surpass almost all other Parrots. 

 They listen and understand better, and are more obedient ; but 

 in vain attempt to repeat what is said to them, and seem as if 

 they tried to make up for this by aifectionate caresses and 

 other expressions of feeling. Their mild disposition and 

 graceful motions add much to their beauty. In some parts of 

 India, we are told, they become so far domesticated as to build 

 their nest on the roofs of the houses. In May, 1775, a pair, 

 male and female, were exhibited at Paris, who, at the word of 

 command, spread out the tufts, saluted the company with a 

 nod, touched articles pointed out, with beak and tongue, an- 

 swered questions in the affirmative or negative by certain signs, 

 and in the same manner told the hour, the number of persons 

 in the room, the colour of their clothes, &c., &c. They also 

 kissed one another, and were said to have paired frequently. Al- 

 though, like other Parrots, the Cockatoo uses its beak as an aid 



