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THE PARRAKEET COCKATOO. 
In the Toco Toucan the beak is of enormous size, being eight inches and a half long, 
forming rather more than one third of the entire length. Its color is rich, glowing orange, 
with a large oval patch near the tip, and a black line round the base. There are also a number 
of darker red bars upon the sides. The head and body are deep black, and the throat and 
cheeks are white, changing into brimstone-yellow on the breast, edged with a line of blood-red. 
The upper tail-coverts are grayish- white, and the under tail-coverts deep crimson. Around the 
eye is a large orange circle, within which is a second circle of cobalt-blue. The eye is rather 
curious, a green ring encircling the pupil, and a narrow yellow ring encircling the green. 
In one species, the Curl-crested Ara£air, the feathers of the head assume a most unique 
and somewhat grotesque form, reminding the observer of a coachman’s wig dyed black. On 
the top of the head the shafts of the feathers, instead of spreading out into webs, become 
fattened, and are rolled into a profusion of bright shining curls, so that the bird really 
appears to have been under the tongs of the hair-dresser. Indeed, it appears almost impossible 
that this singular arrangement of the feathers should not be the work of art. 
PARROTS. 
The general form of the Parrots is too well known to need description. All birds belong- 
ing to this large and splendid group can be recognized by the shape of their beaks, which are 
large, and have the upper mandible extensively curved and hanging far over the lower ; in some 
species the upper mandible is of extraordinary length. The tongue is short, thick, and fleshy, 
and the structure of this member aids the bird in no slight degree in its singular powers of 
articulation. The wings and tail are generally long, and in some species, such as the Macaws, 
the tail is of very great length, while in most of the Parrakeets it is longer than the body. 
The first sub-family of this group is composed of those birds which are called by the 
title of Ground Parrakeets. In the generality of the Parrot tribe, the legs are short, but in 
these birds they are of greater length in order to enable them to run freely on the ground. 
One of the most striking examples of this little group is the Parrakeet Cockatoo of 
Australia. 
Although not clothed with the brilliant plumage that decorates so many of the Parrot 
tribe, this bird is a remarkably pretty one, and is worthy of notice not only for the curious 
crest with which its head is adorned, but for the grace and elegance of its form. With the 
exception of the head, on which a little crimson and yellow are seen, the plumage of the Parra- 
keet Cockatoo is simply tinted with brown, gray, and white ; but these colors are so pure, 
and their arrangement so harmonious, that the eye does not at all look for brighter coloring. 
It is mostly seen upon the ground, where it runs with great swiftness, and is very accom- 
plished at winding its way among the grass stems, upon the seeds of which it subsists. It is 
by no means a shy bird, and will permit of a close approach, so that its habits can be readily 
watched. When alarmed, it leaves the ground and flies off to the nearest tree, perching upon 
the branches and crouching down upon them lengthwise so as to be invisible from below. 
There is no great difficulty in shooting it, which is a matter of some consequence to the hunter, 
as its flesh is notable for its tenderness and delicate flavor. 
The eggs of this species are pure white, which is the case with Parrot eggs generally, and 
their number is from four to six. 
Mr. Gould gives the following description of the Parrakeet Cockatoo : — 
“The interior portion of the vast continent of Australia may be said to possess a fauna 
almost peculiar to itself, but of which our present knowledge is extremely limited. New 
forms therefore of great interest may be expected when the difficulties which the explorer has 
