PLATE XX. 
CACATUA EOS. {Less.) 
ROSE-BREASTED COCKATOO. 
FROM the ready manner in which this very lively bird adapts itself to captivity, as well as from its hardihood, 
it has been comparatively easy to collect a mass of interesting facts in connection with it. Under natural 
conditions of life, the Hose-breasted Cockatoo is very evenly distributed over the continent in those districts 
which do not rise higher than six hundred feet above the sea level. It has never yet been seen in the 
neighbourhood of the Darling, though its favourite food, the salt-bush (Salsolacea?), is abundant about that 
river's banks. 
The northern type of this bird is considerably larger than the more southern one, its colouring deeper, 
and the bare surface round the eye more extended ; while there are some anomalous characteristics worthy of 
notice, common to the whole species, pointing to that modified chain of causation which develops varieties, and 
gradually introduces coherence among diverse groups. The long tail and hawk-like wings seem to point to its 
true position among the Platycerci ; but, inasmuch as it has the power of elevating the short round head- 
feathers that take the place of a crest, it is classed with the Cockatoos. 
With the exception of the Cacatua Leadbeateri this is the most beautiful of all the Cockatoos, 
but as a pet it is stupid and uninteresting, possessing neither docility nor intelligence, is most destructive in its 
habits, tearing and gnawing everything within its reach, and has a most unpleasant odour, while its screaming 
propensity increases in captivity, unless a pair is kept, in which case it is found that conjugal companionship has 
a soothing effect ; on the other hand, it is very hardy, bearing both cold and confinement well. 
This Cockatoo is mentioned by most of the early explorers. Oxley and Sturt saw it in the country 
north-west of the Blue Mountains, Sir Thomas Mitchell under Nandewar Range, and the officers of the 
"Beagle" both saw and procured spjcimens of it in the tropical parts of Queensland, where it is most 
numerous. Wherever it has been met with in flocks, the peculiar mode of flight has at once struck the 
beholder with admiration of its singular grace and beauty. Instead of the undulating wave-like motion of 
ordinary parrots in flying, this sj)ecies makes a complete evolution, turning en masse in the air, so that the rosy 
breasts present the appearance of a deep rose cloud at one moment, and at the next there is the sheen of silver- 
grey backs to be seen. 
It is gregarious, feeding in large flocks of from fifty to two hundred, and has a very rapid flight. Its 
scream is simply ear-piercing, so that its neighbourhood is not long kept a secret. If happy, its note is a 
contented warble, but if alarmed or irritated it will set up screams and shrieks of hideous fiendishness. 
This is a true dandy, for it seems to be always occupied in preening and dressing its feathers. It may 
be on this score that it so seduously retires to the deepest shades to avoid the heat and glare of midday, lest its 
gorgeous plumage should be faded by the sun's too ardent beams. It is a wonderful gymnast, twisting, turning, 
and performing airy evolutions with perfect grace. 
The principal food of this species is the salt-bush (Salsolacece), but failing that the seeds of the 
eucalyptus, acacia, the sheoak, and kangaroo grass do not come amiss. 
After the custom of the rest of the Rsittacidce, the spot chosen for nidification is a hollow in a 
gum tree. The eggs are three in number, one inch and a-half long by one inch and an eighth broad. The young 
ones are hatched in twenty-one days, and are covered with long fine downy feathers, which are soon replaced by 
the feathers that characterise the adult bird. 
