THE ROSE-CRESTED COCKATOO. 



PSITTACUS MOLUCCENSIS CUVIER. 



PLATE 5. 



This lively bird is not remarkable for its intelli- 

 gence, but is one of the most noisy of its tribe, and 

 is particularly fond of assuming a variety of antic 

 gestures. 



The Rose-crested Cockatoo belongs to the genus 

 Plyctolophus of Vieillot, the species of which 

 naturally arrange themselves in two sub-divisions : 

 in the first the crest assumes a rounded form, and 

 falls backwards over the neck, when the bird is 

 quiescent ; while in the second sub-division it is 

 lengthened into a point, which is folded together, 

 and is curved upwards. To the former of these 

 this species belongs. It is a native of Sumatra and 

 the Moluccas. 



The length of this bird varies from sixteen to 

 eighteen inches ; its whole plumage is white, with an 

 occasional tinge of pale rose colour. The crest is 

 formed of feathers of a bright orange red under- 

 neath ; the upper side, with the two middle feathers, 



