GREAT SALMON-CRESTED COCKATOO. 143 



avairy, for eggs are of frequent occurrence, even in the case of solitary 

 females ; and the process of egg production, appears to be unattended 

 with the pain and danger that accompany it in the case of the smaller 

 Cockatoos. 



A correspondent, who possesses a fine specimen of the Moluccan 

 Cockatoo, writes as follows respecting her pet : — " My bird has no 

 history; his chief merits are his beautiful plumage and his affectionate 

 ways ; he is no talker, but a great thief, and delights in stealing things 

 off the table, if we pretend not to see him. His chief amusement is 

 dancing in the funniest way, and executing steps like a young lady, 

 with his beak in the air." 



From the foregoing account we incline rather to the belief that the 

 bird is a female, for the males are more loquacious (we are now speaking 

 of Moluccan Cockatoos), and not, as a rule, so tame as this bird 

 appears to be; and in a subsequent communication from its owner, 

 that lady says : " My red-crested bird has densely black eyes, all over 

 alike, with no discernible pupil; but I begin to think he is a lady, 

 for he is so remarkably polite and affectionate lately to our Yellow- 

 crested Cockatoo, which is decidedly a male. It is very funny to see 

 the other offering kisses to him across the room. I put the stands 

 close together to-day, but the Yellow-crest showed signs of fight, and 

 snapped at his admirer ! " 



The Hon. and Rev. F. G. Button's account of the Great 

 Salmon- crested Cockatoo (Cacatua Moluccensis). 



This, according to my experience, is the most charming of all the 

 Cockatoos, and very much to be recommended to any one who can let 

 them fly loose. Taken as a species, they are the best talkers amongst 

 the Cockatoos; but I must admit I never kept a Goffin. When a 

 Lemon-crest is a good talker, he beats the Salmon-crest; but taking 

 numbers imported into consideration, you find a greater proportion of 

 Salmon-crests talk than of Lemon-crests. He is also the gentlest of 

 all the Cockatoos, and the most certain. 



The first I ever had did not talk, but he had great character. I 

 don't think he was altogether wise, for he took the greatest possible 

 dislike to me, who was prepared to be very fond of him, and was 

 devoted to a friend of mine, who decidedly disliked him. In fact his 

 devotion was so great that I tried to persuade my friend to accept 

 him; but in vain. As I could not get over his hatred of myself, 

 I parted with him. 



The next I had was gentle and good-tempered with every one. The 



