LEADBEATEB'8 COCKATOO. 15 



two young ones at a time; and that the eggs are white, without spots. 

 The natives first find where the nests are, by the birds making Co'tora 

 in an adjoining tree, which lies in conspicuous heaps upon the ground. 

 Co'tora is the bark stripped off the small branches, and cut into minute 

 pieces. When the young ones are' nearly fledged, the old birds cut a 

 quantity of young branches from the adjoining trees, but never from 

 that in which the nest is situated. They are sometimes found to enter 

 the hollow limb as far as two yards. The nests are generally found in 

 a black-butted gum-tree, and also in Coroy'bo, Cajim-bora, and Yarro- 

 war'ry trees (species of Eucalyptus)." 



•The illustration that accompanies the above description represents the 

 crest displayed, fan-wise, across the forehead of the bird, whereas it 

 can only be expanded from back to front, and by no means from side 

 to side; but the drawing was evidently taken from an imperfectly stuffed 

 skin, and presents altogether a distorted, and almost fanciful appearance. 



Not having kept this Cockatoo, we are not in a position to say much 

 more about it: however most of the writers we have consulted give it 

 by no means a good character; Mr. Gedney alone declaring it to be 

 "the most amiable of the Cockatoo tribe", and then goes on to say: 

 — "The Leadbeater has the common failing of his tribe, he is addicted 

 to screaming; although, to do him justice, I must say that his sins in 

 this respect are neither so frequent nor so heinous as those of other 

 Cockatoos — and indeed when a bird of this species becomes thoroughly 

 accustomed to those about him, there is very little to complain of in 

 the matter of screaming, unless he gets teased by children or servants/'' 



And this author's further comments upon the objectionable practice 

 above alluded to, are so practical and sensible that we make no apology 

 for quoting them, especially as they occupy no very extended space. 



"This practice (teasing) spoils most of the excitable birds of the 

 Parrot and Cockatoo tribes, and although it may be very entertaining 

 to see them get into a terrible passion, throw up their wings and crests, 

 and give vent to their wrath in shrieks of fiery indignation, still a bird 

 that is provoked to such exhibitions of temper will soon become a 

 nuisance to any household, and no amount of subsequent good treatment 

 and petting will eradicate the tendency to give way to uncontrolled 

 outbursts of passion upon the most trivial provocation." 



Which is perfectly true : so let the reader see to it that the Cockatoo 

 or Parrot he, or she, has become possessed of be not subjected to such 

 treatment, or the consequences will be that bird and master, after awhile, 

 will be unable to live in the same house together. 



The food of this species should be the same that has been recommended 

 for Goffin and the Great White-crested Cockatoo, namely: maize, oats, 



