26 BOSE-BBEASTED COCKATOO. 
to his company, and are content to leave the Rosy Cockatoo to sport 
in his native wilds, or, if imported, to add variety and charm to the 
aviaries of the Zoological Gardens. 
T/ze Hon. and Rev. F. G. Diction' s Accoicnt of the Rose-breasted 
Cockatoo. 
The Rose-breasted Cockatoo is perhaps the tamest of all the Cocka- 
toos. It is the size of a Wood Pigeon, grey on the back, has a rather 
longer tail than most of the White Cockatoos, of a still darker grey. 
The breast is a pale rose colour, and the crest, which is not seen when 
the bird is not excited, is white. 
Its bill, which is white, is smaller in proportion to its size tha-n that 
of any other Cockatoo j but it is not to be despised as a weapon of 
offence, as the Rose-breasted Cockatoo can give a very nasty bite, if 
it is so disposed; and with anybody but its owner it very often is so 
disposed. All Cockatoos, as far as my experience goes, are not only 
inclined to be uncertain in temper, even turning round at times suddenly 
upon those they are fondest of, but are fond of mischief, liking to 
swoop down suddenly on people when flying at large (of course I only 
speak of pet birds let loose in England). But on the whole it is a 
gentle bird, and though it has the peculiarly disagreeable smell belonging 
to all the Cockatoo tribe, its lovely and graceful antics would make it 
one of the most charming of pets, were it not for its intolerable 
noisiness. All the Cockatoos I have known have been noisy; it is 
only a question of more or less, but with the Rose-breasted it is a case 
of more, not to say of most. It must be owing to this, quite as much 
as its hardiness, which makes its price so low. So charming a bird 
would always obtain a good price, were it not that one Rose-breasted 
Cockatoo is enough to supply not only a street but a district. Its 
screams have been described as like “a little pig being killed.” Its 
claws, too, are cuttingly sharp, so that if one takes it on one’s hand, 
one has to wear gloves. It has a strong bold flight, owing to the im- 
mense length of its wings, and is rather apt to wander when given its 
liberty. In this respect it follows the habits of the genus PdlcBornis 
more than that of Cacatua. 
It is a very hardy bird, and may be kept on hemp, canary, millet, 
and maize. It is very destructive, soon destroying its perch, and should 
always have a piece of loose wood, such as an old cotton reel, to play 
with. 
