LEABBEATEB’S GOOKATOO. 
15 
two young ones at a time; and that the eggs are white, without spots. 
The natives first find where the nests are, by the birds making Co’tora 
in an adjoining tree, which lies in conspicuous heaps upon the ground. 
Co’tora is the bark stripped off the small branches, and cut into minute 
pieces. When the young ones are nearly fledged, the old birds cut a 
quantity of young branches from the adjoining trees, but never from 
that in which the nest is situated. They are sometimes found to enter 
the hollow limb as far as two yards. The nests are generally found in 
a hlach-hutted gum-tree, and also in Goroy’bo, Cajim-hora, and Yarro- 
war’nj trees (species of Eucalyptus).” 
The illustration that accompanies the above description represents the 
crest displayed, fan-wise, across the forehead of the bird, whereas it 
can only be expanded from back to front, and by no means from side 
to side; but the drawing was evidently taken from an imperfectly stuffed 
skin, and presents altogether a distorted, and almost fanciful appearance. 
Not having kept this Cockatoo, we are not in a position to say much 
more about it: however most of the writers we have consulted give it 
by no means a good character; Mr. Gedney alone declaring it to be 
“the most amiable of the Cockatoo tribe”, and then goes on to say: 
— “The Leadbeater has the common failing of his tribe, he is addicted 
to screaming; although, to do him justice, I must say that his sins in 
this respect are neither so frequent nor so heinous as those of other 
Cockatoos — and indeed when a bird of this species becomes thoroughly 
accustomed to those about him, there is veiy little to complain of in 
the matter of screaming, unless he gets teased by children or servants.” 
And this author’s further comments upon the objectionable practice 
above alluded to, are so practical and sensible that we make no apology 
for quoting them, especially as they occupy no very extended space. 
“This practice (teasing) spoils most of the excitable birds of the 
Parrot and Cockatoo tribes, and although it may be very entertaining 
to see them get into a terrible passion, throw up their wings and crests, 
and give vent to their wrath in shrieks of fiery indignation, still a bird 
that is provoked to such exhibitions of temper will soon become a 
nuisance to any household, and no amount of subsequent good treatment 
and petting will eradicate the tendency to give way to uncontrolled 
outbursts of passion upon the most trivial provocation.’* 
Which is perfectly true : so let the reader see to it that the Cockatoo 
or Parrot he, or she, has become possessed of be not subjected to such 
treatment, or the consequences will be that bird and master, after awhile, 
will be unable to live in the same house together. 
The food of this species should be the same that has been recommended 
for Goffin and the Great White-crested Cockatoo, namely: maize, oats. 
