26 ROSE-BREASTED GOGEATOO. 



to his company, and are content to leave the Rosy Cockatoo to sport 

 in his native wilds, or, if imported, to add variety and charm to the 

 aviaries of the Zoological Gardens. 



The Hon. and Rev. F. G. Button's Account of the Rose-breasted 



Cockatoo. 



The Rose-breasted Cockatoo is perhaps the tamest of all the Cocka- 

 toos. It is the size of a Wood Pigeon, grey on the back, has a rather 

 longer tail than most of the White Cockatoos, of a still darker grey. 

 The breast is a pale rose colour, and the crest, which is not seen when 

 the bird is not excited, is white. 



Its bill, which is white, is smaller in proportion to its size than that 

 of any other Cockatoo; but it is not to be despised as a weapon of 

 offence, as the Rose -breasted Cockatoo can give a very nasty bite, if 

 it is so disposed; and with anybody but its owner it very often is so 

 disposed. All Cockatoos, as far as my experience goes, are not only 

 inclined to be uncertain in temper, even turning round at times suddenly 

 upon those they are fondest of, but are fond of mischief, liking to 

 swoop down suddenly on people when flying at large (of course I only 

 speak of pet birds let loose in England). But on the whole it is a 

 gentle bird, and though it has the peculiarly disagreeable smell belonging 

 to all the Cockatoo tribe, its lovely and graceful antics would make it 

 one of the most charming of pets, were it not for its intolerable 

 noisiness. All the Cockatoos I have known have been noisy; it is 

 only a question of more or less, but with the Rose-breasted it is a case 

 of more, not to say of most. It must be owing to this, quite as much 

 as its hardiness, which makes its price so low. So charming a bird 

 would always obtain a good price, were it not that one Rose-breasted 

 Cockatoo is enough to supply not only a street but a district. Its 

 screams have been described as like "a little pig being killed." Its 

 claws, too, are cuttingly sharp, so that if one takes it on one's hand, 

 one has to wear gloves. It has a strong bold flight, owing to the im- 

 mense length of its wings, and is rather apt to wander when given its 

 liberty. In this respect it follows the habits of the genus Palceomis 

 more than that of Oacatua. 



It is a very hardy bird, and may be kept on hemp, canary, millet, 

 and maize. It is very destructive, soon destroying its perch, and should 

 always have a piece of loose wood, such as an old cotton reel, to play 

 with. 



