MICROGLOSSUS ATERRIMUS. 



(Great Palm Cockatoo.) 



Adult — Space fronting the eye and beneath the crest, deep velvety black ; the feathers of the crest, greyish black — each feather being 

 narrow and lanceolate in form ; all the remaining plumage, black, with green and purple reflexions ; cheeks, rose color, narrowly bordered 

 with yellow ; irides, dark brown ; bill, dark horn color ; feet, lead color. '■■ 



TouKQ- — Grlossy black, with lemon yellow lunate bands on the breast and abdomen. 



Length, 28^ inches ; wing, 14 ; tail, 11 ; tarsus, 1 ; largest toe and claw, 2|-. 



This splendid species, which is by some naturalists termed the Groliath Aratoo, is one of the largest known members of the Parrot 

 tribe in the eastern hemisphere ; fully equalling in size many of the splendid Macaws of South America ; but the comparative shortness of its 

 tail renders it much less graceful in appearance than the latter family. It is found at Cape York, where it abides throughout the year. 

 Though long known to naturalists as an inhabitant of New Gruinea and the neighboring islands, they were not aware of its being a denizen of 

 the woods of Australia until the visit of H.M.S. Rattlesnahe in that locality, in the year 1849. It is found both in the densest scrubs and the 

 open forest, associating in small flocks of four or five in number. Its harsh scream and loud whistle often betray its presence. The tender 

 shoots at the summits of the palms are uncovered readily from their strong envelopes by its powerful bill, and, with honey-bearing blossoms 

 of various other trees furnish it with abundance of the choicest food. Fragments of gravel have been found in the stomach, which, as in the 

 case of many other birds, materially assists the process of digestion by grinding down the food. The tongue is long and capable of being 

 considerably extended. It breeds in November, the nest being situate in the hollow branch of some huge tree, and formed of strips of bark. 

 The eggs (two in number) are pure white, and very much rounded in form. The young birds are easily tamed, and feed readily on biscuit, 

 rice, etc.. 



The figure is a little less than half the natural length. The outline of the upper mandible is of the natural size, and measures 

 round the curve 4f inches. 



