374 THE PARRAKEET COCKATOO. 



In the Toco Toucan the beak is of enormous .size, being eight inches and a half long, 

 forming rather more than one third of the entire length. Its color is rich, glowing orange, 

 with a large oval patch near the tip, and a black line round the base. There are also a number 

 of darker red bars upon the sides. The head and body are deep black, and the throat and 

 cheeks are white, changing into brimstone-yellow on the breast, edged with a line of blood-red. 

 The upper tail-coverts are grayish-white, and the under tail-coverts deep crimson. Around the 

 eye is a large orange circle, within which is a second circle of cobalt-blue. The eye is rather 

 curious, a green ring encircling the pupil, and a narrow yellow ring encircling the green. 



In one species, the Curl-crested Aracair, the feathers of the head assume a most unique 

 and somewhat grotesque form, reminding the observer of a coachman's wig dyed black. On 

 the top of the head the shafts of the feathers, instead of spreading out into webs, become 

 flattened, and are rolled into a profusion of bright shining curls, so that the bird really 

 appears to have been under the tonus of the hair-dresser. Indeed, it appears almost impossible 

 that this singular arrangement of the feathers should not be the work of art. 



PARROTS. 



The general form of the Parrots is too well known to need description. All birds belong- 

 ing t<> this large and splendid group can be recognized by the shape of their beaks, which are 

 large, and have the upper mandible extensively curved and hanging far over the lower ; in some 

 species the upper mandible is of extraordinary length. The tongue is short, thick, and fleshy, 

 and the structure of this member aids the bird in no slight degree in its singular powers of 

 articulation. The wings and tail are generally long, and in some species, such as the Macaws, 

 the tail is of very great length, while in most of the Parrakeets it is longer than the body. 



The first sub-family of this group is composed of those birds which are called by the 

 title of Ground Parrakeets. In the generality of the Parrot tribe, the legs are short, but in 

 these birds they are of greater length in order to enable them to run freely on the ground. 

 One of the most striking examples of this little group is the Paurakeet Cockatoo of 

 Australia. 



Although not clothed with the brilliant plumage that decorates so many of the Parrot 

 tribe, this bird is a remarkably pretty one, and is worthy of notice not only for the curious 

 crest with which its head is adorned, but for the grace and elegance of its form. With the 

 exception of the head, on which a little crimson and yellow are seen, the plumage of the Parra- 

 keet Cockatoo is simply tinted with brown, gray, and white; but these colors are so pure, 

 and their arrangement so harmonious, that the eye does not at all look for brighter coloring. 



It is mostly seen upon the ground, where it runs with great swiftness, and is very accom- 

 plished at winding its way among the grass stems, upon the seeds of which it subsists. It is 

 by no means a shy bird, and will permit of a close approach, so that its habits can lie readily 

 watched. When alarmed, it leaves the ground and flies off to the nearest tree, perching upon 

 the branches and crouching down upon them lengthwise so as to be invisible from below. 

 There is no great difficulty in shooting it, which is a matter of some consequence to the hunter, 

 as its flesh is notable for its tenderness and delicate flavor. 



The eggs of this species aie pure white, which is the case with Parrot eggs generally, and 

 their number is from four to six. 



Mr. Gould gives the following description of the Parrakeet Cockatoo : — 



"The interior portion of the vast continent of Australia may be said to possess a fauna 

 almost peculiar to itself, but of which our present knowledge is extremely limited. New 

 forms therefore of great interest may be expected when the difficulties which the explorer has 



