12 GBEAT WHITE-0BE8TEI) COCKATOO. 
they can reach on every part of their bodies, until they are quite bare, 
with the exception of the head, and the quill and tail feathers, the 
destruction of which I have never seen them able to accomplish. 
In such a deplorable case what is to be done ? IVhat measures are 
to be adopted to prevent this self-mutilation? In the first place, put 
the bird upon an exclusively vegetable diet, give clean water, fresh dry 
sharp river-sand, an abundance of green food, of every kind in season, 
and for three days put a pinch of carbonate of magnesia {Jsvis) in the 
drinking vessel; lastly restore the bird to comparative liberty in an 
empty room, or loft, free from draughts, and furnished with a variety 
of logs and branches upon which the poor thing can find more con- 
genial exercise for its beak, than in plucking out by the roots, and 
chewing, its own feathers. Or, where an empty room is not available, 
make a collar of pasteboard sufficiently large to prevent the bird from 
reaching its feathers, when it is slipped over its head, and fixed upon 
its neck, as a similar contrivance is often placed upon the neck of a 
horse, to keep the latter animal from nibbling at a sore upon its legs, 
or flanks: the former mode of procedure, however, is much the more 
desirable, where attainable, as the collar is apt to greatly terrify the 
bird at first, and is always difficult of adjustment. 
The Great White Cockatoo is very hardy, and with the most ordi- 
nary care will live for quite a number of years in captivity upon the 
simple food recommended above, and will enjoy uninterrupted health; 
but if pampered and coddled, it will become gouty on the feet, dys- 
peptic and altogether a miserable and disagreeable object: Verhum sap. 
