OACATTA EOS. 



(Rose-hreasted Cockatoo.) 



Ceown and occiput, white, tinged with rose color--the basal portions of the latter, bright rose color; cheeks, a collar surrounding the neck, 

 throat, and chest, bright rose color; abdomen, rose color, edged with whitish grey; under surface of shoulder, rose color; wings and upper 

 part of the back and tail, light grey ; quills and end of the tail, dark grey ; lower part of the back and upper tail coverts, whitish ; under tail 

 coverts, light grey ; bill, whitish horn color ; orbits, brick red ; irides, brownish red ; feet, dark grey. The sexes are nearly alike in color and 

 size. Specimens vary considerably in the depth and richness of the coloring of the breast. 



Length, 14 inches ; wing, 9^ ; tail, 5| ; bill, f ; tarsus, I- 



This species of cockatoo is very plentiful throughout the interior and northern portions of Australia, and particularly so in the 

 Maranoa district ; all round the Gulf of Carpentaria it is also pretty common. It is very hardy and will live for many years in a cage. 

 Numbers are captured for the English and European markets, as there is but little diilculty in the transport, this bird bearing the voyage 

 better than almost any other. Like the common white cockatoo it associates in large flocks, and, where agricultural operations are conducted, 

 proves an equally troublesome neighbor. A flight of these birds is a beautiful sight, as their movements are simultaneous — one moment 

 displaying the silvery grey back, and then by a sudden change bringing the rich pink of the under surface to view. It possesses great 

 powers of flight. The breeding season commences about October, and the eggs are deposited in the holes or spouts of gum trees, the box 

 being usually preferred for the purpose. The eggs, which are generally three in number, are of a white color : size, l^ by l-g- inch. 



