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AUSTRALIAN AND TASMANIAN ANIMALS 



Australia. With a few exceptions, the more typical members of the family, such 

 as the large sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), so often seen in Europe, 

 are mainly white. Lead beater's cockatoo (C. leadbeateri) is, however, of a pale 

 rosy tint. Very different is the mainly sable livery of the above-mentioned 

 great black Banksian cockatoo (Calyptorhynohus banksi) ; while the ganga 

 cockatoo (CallocepJudum gcdeattim) is black with white edges to the feathers and 

 a red crest and head. 



With the ground-parraquet {Geopsittacus occidentalis) we reach a species 



GREAT BLACK COCKATOO. 



characterised by its disproportionately large head and rather short tail, as well as 

 by its abnormal habits. In place of frequenting trees, this parrot dwells in a 

 subterranean hole, which it never quits till sunset, when it issues forth to feed. 

 The swamp-parraquet (Pezoporus formosus), which is also nocturnal, is peculiar in 

 laying its eggs on the bare ground. It frequents open, sandy districts covered with 

 short grassy or marshjr flats, and is chiefly a ground-bird, although when alarmed 

 it takes to its wings and flies with great swiftness in a zigzag manner like a 

 woodcock, soon, however, to alight and resume its course on the ground. From its 

 relatives this bird is easily distinguished by the long, pointed wings and tail from 

 which it takes the name of pheasant-cockatoo. 



