404 
MODS OF HUNTING COCKATOOS. 
their tremendously powerful beaks with great effect. Their crests are not formed like those of 
the common Cockatoo, and the tails are larger and more rounded. 
The Helmet Cockatoo is only found in New South Wales, inhabiting the vast brush district 
of that land. Its food is mostly of a vegetable nature, consisting chiefly of the seeds of the 
Banksia ; but the bird will also eat the large and fat grubs of different insects, mostly of a 
coleopterous nature, which it digs out of the trunks of trees with its strong bill.* 
It is not seen in such large flocks as the white Cockatoo, being generally in pairs, 
although little companies of six or eight in number are occasionally met in the bushes. 
Being a particularly wild and cautious bird, it is not easily approached by a stranger, 
except when feeding, at which time it is so occupied that a cautious sportsman may creep 
within gunshot. The native, however, unencumbered with raiment, and caring nothing for 
his time, can glide through the bushes noiselessly, and bring down the bird with a well-aimed 
stick. 
The flight of this handsome bird is rather heavy, the wings flapping laboriously, and the 
progress being rather slow. It seldom mounts to any great height, and as a general fact only 
flies from the top of one tree to another. The eggs are generally two and sometimes three in 
number, and are laid in the hollow “ spout” of a green tree, without any particular nest. 
The chin of the adult male is deep rich black with a green gloss. A broad vermilion band 
crosses the whole of the tail, with the exception of the two central feathers, and the external 
webs of the outside feathers. The female is also greenish black, but her plumage is variegated 
with numerous spots and bars of pale yellow. 
There are many other species of Australian Cockatoos, which cannot be mentioned in 
these pages. The native mode of hunting Cockatoos is so curious, and displays so well the 
character of the birds, that it must be given in the words of the writer, Captain Grey 
u Perhaps as fine a sight as can be seen in the whole circle of native sports, is the killing 
Cockatoos with the kiley, or boomerang. A native perceives a large flight of Cockatoos in a 
forest which encircles a lagoon ; the expanse of water affords an open, clear space above it, 
unencumbered with trees, but which raise their gigantic forms all around, more vigorous in 
their growth from the damp soil in which they flourish. In their leafy summits sit a countless 
number of Cockatoos, screaming and flying from tree to tree, as they make their arrangements 
for a night’ s sound sleep. 
“ The native throws aside his cloak, so that he may not have even this slight covering to 
impede his motions, draws his kiley from his belt, and with a noiseless, elastic step, approaches 
the lagoon, creeping from tree to tree, and from bush to bush, and disturbing the birds as 
little as possible. Their sentinels, however, take the alarm, the Cockatoos farthest from the 
water fly to the trees near its edge, and thus they keep concentrating their force as the native 
advances ; they are aware that danger is at hand, but are ignorant of its nature. At length 
the pursuer almost reaches the edge of the water, and the scared Cockatoos, with wild cries, 
spring into the air ; at the same instant the native raises his right hand high over his shoulder, 
and, bounding forward with his utmost speed, to give impetus to his blow, the kiley quits his 
hand as if it would strike the water ; but when it has almost touched the unruffled surface of 
the lake, it spins upwards with inconceivable velocity, and with the strangest contortions. . 
‘ ‘ In vain the terrified Cockatoos strive to avoid it ; it sweeps wildly and uncertainly 
through the air— and so eccentric are its motions, that it requires but a slight stretch of 
the imagination to fancy it endowed with life — and with fell swoops in rapid pursuit of 
the devoted birds, some of which are almost certain to be brought screaming to the earth. 
But the wily savage has not yet done with them. He avails himself of the extraordinary 
attachment which these birds have for one another, and fastening a wounded one to a tree, 
so that its cries may induce its companions to return, he watches his opportunity, by throwing 
his kiley or spear, to add another bird or two to the booty he has already obtained. 
