4 EAWE-EEADED PARROT. 



dull bronzed or even coppery hue when the creature is placed between 

 the spectator and the window; and the same remark applies to the 

 shading of the breast and back of the neck, where the feathers change 

 from red to purple according to the point of view of the beholder. 



The tail feathers, with the exception of the central pair, are black 

 which is also the colour of the flight feathers of the wings ; these 

 never undergo the chameleon-like phases that a change in the relative 

 positions of the spectator and the bird produces, for they are ever and 

 always black. 



There would seem to be several varieties of these birds, for the 

 British Museum contains the skin of one that is as large as a White 

 Cockatoo, and, while the top of "Pinto's" head is dull grey, a pair 

 of Hawk-heads at the " Zoo ,} have the feathers in the same position 

 white, but otherwise exactly resemble the bird from which our illus- 

 tration is taken. 



As it might be thought somewhat venturesome and illogical to 

 generalize from an individual instance, and praise a whole race for the 

 sake of one of its members, that deserves all that can be said in its 

 favour; it is advisable to point out here that Dr. Euss also gives these 

 birds an excellent character, including them among his " Talking 

 Parrots," and voting them intelligent and docile. 



The Hawk-headed Parrot is not the only member of the family that 

 has the power of raising a nuchal crest, for the Orange-crested 

 Cockatoo and several of the Amazons are similarly gifted ; the former 

 even to a much greater extent, for it not only elevates the feathers 

 on the back, but on the sides, of the neck; as will be seen when we 

 come to describe it further on. 



It would be instructive and curious too, if one could ascertain why 

 this power was conferred upon these birds and not upon others of their 

 race; but the inquiry is one that is not likely to be satisfactorily 

 answered. Certain it is that the ornament in question imparts an extra- 

 ordinarily savage appearance to its possessor, and is doubtless of service 

 to the creature by inspiring terror in the beholder. 



On one occasion when "Pinto" was sent to the Bird Show at the 

 Crystal Palace, his curious appearance was commented upon by the 

 reporters for the press, who one and all united in pronouncing him to 

 be something unique, and exhorted visitors not to fail in getting a 

 sight of so remarkable a bird; one of them even went so far as to 

 characterize the dear old fellow as having a Satanic expression, which 

 was perhaps excusable, for his brilliant colours were scarce discernible 

 in the dim uncertain light of the Show, and his excited manner as 

 he incessantly raised and depressed his nuchal ruff, and danced up 



