46 cassell's book of birds. 



whole sentences at a fitting opportunity. In their wild state, Cockatoos assemble in large flocks, 

 which remain more or less united even during the breeding season ; they pass the night buried in the 

 leafy shelter of the trees, and at break of day make the woods resound with their noisy screams as 

 they rise into the air with light strokes of the wing, hovering and gliding till they reach a field yielding 

 suitable food. Fruit, corn, and seeds constitute their principal nourishment, and they will also devour 

 buds and bulbs, obtaining the latter very dextrously by the help of their long beaks. Every fresh 

 occurrence in their daily life is greeted with loud cries; and should a second flock pass over 

 the place where they have settled, their combined shrieks are perfectly appalling, and can only be 

 imagined by those who have heard the yells a few captive cockatoos are capable of producing. As 

 soon as hunger is appeased these flocks retire to rest beneath the shelter of the branches, where 

 they remain some hours in comparative quiet ; they then again go in search of a meal, returning to 

 pass the night on their accustomed trees. Thus they live till the breeding season, when they pair, 

 and each couple sets out to find a suitable home, preferring holes in trees, but also resorting 

 to fissures in the rocks. Certain precipices near the South Australian rivers are yearly visited 

 by thousands of Cockatoos, just as the cliffs of the north seas are infested by huge flocks 

 of sea-gulls. We are told that some of these rocks are completely honeycombed by them, and 

 the strength and firmness of their beaks renders this assertion easily credible. They lay two white, 

 pointed eggs, about the size of those of a bantam fowl ; but in what manner incubation is carried on 

 we are not aware. We are told by travellers that they soon become timid if they suspect danger, 

 and, like other kinds of parrots, carry on their depredations with so much cunning that it is very 

 difficult, or indeed impossible, to drive them from the fields. The natives hunt them in a very 

 peculiar manner. " Perhaps," says Captain Grey, " it would be impossible to imagine a more 

 exciting spectacle than that of seeing the Australians hunt the Cockatoo. They employ for this 

 purpose a very remarkable weapon called a boomerang ; this is a sickle-shaped flat instrument 

 made of wood, which can be thrown by the hand to a distance of ioo feet, and flies in small 

 circles with many windings from the direct path. An Australian will follow a flock either into the 

 fields or woods, preferring, however, places where large trees are situated near water, such spots 

 as these being the favourite resort of the Cockatoos. Here they are to be found in innumerable 

 hosts, climbing on the branches or flying from tree to tree ; here they also sleep, and here the 

 wily native comes, most watchfully observing all necessary precautions. He goes from one tree to 

 another, and creeps from bush to bush, taking the greatest care not to disturb the wary birds, but in 

 vain, for, however quiet his movements may be, he is soon discovered, and his near approach 

 greeted with a hideous cry. The birds have already perceived that danger is at hand, though they 

 do not know what the next step may be. At length their pursuer reaches the water, and discloses his 

 dark form to their view ; amidst piercing shrieks the white cloud of birds rises into the air, and at the 

 same instant the Australian throws his weapon amongst them. The boomerang, which is thrown with 

 great force, dances and springs in the most wonderful manner over the water, and then, rising higher 

 and higher in its wayward flight, is soon careering in the midst of the frightened multitude. A second, 

 a third, and a fourth weapon is discharged ; in vain the terrified creatures try to escape, the apparently 

 aimless course of the missile bewilders them and delays their flight. One after the other is struck by the 

 boomerang, and comes to the ground, having probably either lost its head or broken its wing ; they 

 fall screaming with pain and terror, and it is only when the dusky hunter has attained his end that the 

 remainder of the terrified flock hide themselves in the foliage of the trees." The flesh of the 

 Cockatoo is tolerably good, and the soup made from it excellent. The number of these birds that 

 find a home with us prove that they are easily captured, and, like all other parrcts, th:y will live a 

 long time if nourished with simple food. 



