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Recent Publications.



netting; there is a wooden structure, sadly gnawed about, for the birds to

shelter in, and the ground is covered with rough grass. In this huge aviary

are a number of Cockatoos, from the common Rose-breasted (Cacatua

roseicapilla) to the rare Black Cockatoo of two or three species. When we

entered this enclosure Sir Charles extended his arm and called, and down

swooped the most imagnificent Cockatoo I think I have ever seen, and

alighted on its owner’s shoulder. This was either the Great-billed Cockatoo

(Calyptorhus macrorhynchus) or the Western Black Cockatoo (C. stellalus),

the latter T am inclined to think. These Black Cockatoos seem to be some


4


of the most affectionate of Parrots. This one was devoted to its owner, and

allowed him to do anything with it, appearing never so happy as when

allowed to be on his shoulder. I noticed also in this enclosure another

which was evidently the Yellow-eared, or Funereal Cockatoo (C. funereus).


On leaving the outer aviary I was conducted into the studio where

there was an invalid. This was another apparently of the same species as

the very tame one, but showing a number of the brownish feathers of

immaturity. Sir Charles tells me that he finds these Cockatoos very

delicate at first, though when acclimatized they do not seem to feel the cold.

This one had been very ill the day before, but appeared to be recovering

when I saw it.


In ail inner room, fitted up with cages and aviaries and heated by

hot-water pipes were several more Cockatoos of different kinds. Another

black one, smaller than the others was apparently an immature C. banksi.

It was remarkably tame, and an altogether delightful bird. It flew on to

my arm and climbed over my shoulders and rubbed its large beak against

my ears. I was very much struck by the extreme gentleness of these

Black Cockatoos, they seem to be the gentlest and most affectionate

of Parrots, rarely, if ever, using their powerful bills as weapons of offence

or defence. Amongst Sir Charles’ other Cockatoos in this room were three

Gangas ( Callocephalon galeaium), two males and a female.


D. Sbth-SmiTh.



RECENT PUBLICATIONS.



THE IDENTIFICATION OF BIRDS.


In two recent numbers of Animal Life (November and

December, 1903) Mr. Frank Finn has contributed a paper on this

subject which should prove useful to those who study the

relationship of the different families of birds to one another.


Mr. Finn’s object, in this paper, has been to show his

readers how to determine to what family any bird belongs, by



