The L.C.B.A. Show. 7 
" tive of this species, which, like its coiigfeners is ;i native of Weyt 
" Africa." 
I need not add to tliLs but must puss on. 
I see Punch has immortalised Mr. Hill's c;entenarian 
Cockatoo by a poem in their last issue; instead of making 
any personal comment on the bird, I am reprinting- their ode 
here, with apologies to the Proprietors of Punch : 
TO A CENTENAEIAN COCKATOO. 
(Reprinted from Pun.h, December 24, 1913). 
Creatiire of mystery, atove whose head 
.Moi-e than a hundred years, I'm told have sped, 
Strange Bird, who sliould Ijy every rig'ht be dead. 
Yet seem to all appearance just as well 
As when your dam, with forest -splitting- yell. 
Proclaimed you issuing from your native shell. 
I wonder-, when you muse upon the lot 
That brought you to this ag-e of heav'n knows what, 
If you oongiatulate youi'self or not. 
Great are yoiu- blessings. You can still digest 
Trifles like nuts and matches with the best; 
Vou still retain a lively interest 
In tJre vain plumag'e you so much approve; 
And — inwardly — I grieve to say, you move 
Still in the same unalterable groove. 
Your- gift of speech does not advance with age; 
It is not guarded, apposite or sage; 
You have one joke, to lure within your cage. 
Some kindly finger, and, witb sudden beak 
Transfix that member till its owner squeak; 
As (manners this is poor, as humour, weak. 
Far from that alien country in whose trees 
Your wilding brothers had their little sprees, 
Here you have sojourned in superior ease. 
You did not shai-e with them the daily risk, 
That keeps the faculties agog and brisk.. 
Of passing to oblivion in a whisk. 
And oft, no doubt, in this your easy state 
You chuckle at the grim and tragic fate. 
That must have caug'lit those otliers, soon or late. 
Yet these your kin, however rough their lives. 
Had active times and multitudinous wives; 
"While you, the sole relation that survives — 
It never has been yofurs in Spring to screech 
A mad love -music, not in human speech 
But in the languagxj love alone can teach. 
