136 GANG-GANG OOOKATOO. 



that certainly furnish a large portion of their sustenance in their native 

 land? 



It is not fair to generalise from an individual, or even from two 

 or three individuals, for a variety of trivial circumstances may conduce 

 to impart quite another complexion than the natural one, to its or their 

 character; and therefore we hesitate for the present to recommend the 

 Ganga to amateurs, who are not very strongly imbued with a love of 

 foreign birds, and that for the reasons stated — they are shy birds; 

 consequently nervous, and require patience and perseverance in the 

 treatment accorded them. So far they have not proved themselves 

 long lived in captivity, and especially they are expensive. 



On the other hand, they are handsome birds, undeniably handsome, 

 and of such rare occurrence, that their very scarcity is in itself a 

 recommendation in the eyes of many fanciers ; some of whom are ready 

 and willing to put up with almost any amount of inconvenience and 

 even loss for the sake of possessing a unique, or at all events a rare 

 specimen of animated nature, which they rejoice to be able to call 

 their very own; and which would lose half its value in their estimation 

 if everybody, or indeed anybody, could share its possession with them. 



A reprehensible sentiment it may be said; perhaps so, but very 

 human. 



The Hon. and Rev. F. G. DuttorC s account of the Gang- Gang 

 Cockatoo (Callocephalon galeatum). 



After seeing the beautiful drawing of this bird in Gould's Birds of 

 Australia, I was always hoping I might see one; perhaps that it might 

 be imported in sufficient numbers to enable me to buy one. At length, 

 to my great delight, I saw one at the Zoological Gardens. Alas! 

 never was there a greater proof that "distance lends enchantment to 

 the view/'' The bird was neither brilliant in colour, nor graceful in 

 shape; but it was decidedly sulky in temper, and its name Gang-Gang 

 was music itself compared to its note, which is the most rasping and 

 aggravating of all Cockatoo cries, and that is saying a great deal. 



Our editor has still a great desire to possess one of these birds. 

 He generally seems to me to be in luck about Parrots. I hope he 

 may get his wish. For my part, if Fortune has no unkinder turn in 

 store for me than that I should never possess a Gang- Gang, that fickle 

 lady and myself will always remain on the best of terms. 



