26 
to the newly sown cornfields of tlio farmer. Their wariness is so 
great that it is difficult to approach near enough to shoot them, when 
engaged in these pillaging expeditions. The Long-billed Cockatoo 
{liemetis tenuirostris)^ commonly called “corella,” in undoubtedly 
the best “ talker ” of all the species. Its powers of vocalization are 
simply wondei'ful, and its intelligence is so gi’cat that after some years 
of domestication, it certainly is able to associate certain phrases with 
certain effects. The birds aie not so common as the sulphur-crested, 
for they are peculiar to the interior plains. They have no crest; the 
long bill is a good distinguishing mark. Other cockatoos that are 
kept in cages are the Little Corella (1. 'pastinatQr)^ the Rose-breasted 
Cockatoo (0. rosiecapilla) ^ which is of a grey colour on the upper 
surface, and rose-rod on the head, bimst, and under parts. There 
is one bird caged within a few feet of the ^vritcr, as he is penning 
this paper, and it is incessant in its efforts to attract the attention of 
the children by crying out “ Who are you ?” “ Naughty boy, cockey,” 
“No, cockey’s pretty,” etc., etc. Many of the different species of 
parrots and paroquets are also kept as pets, and some of which learn 
to talk well, but in a whistling tone of voice. 
There could not possibly be a greater contrast to the white cocka¬ 
toos than are the several species of Black Cockatoos. These comprise 
the lai'gest knowu species of the family, and some of them are very 
handsome, the dense black of the genei-al plumage being relieved by 
brilliant scarlet bai*s across the tail; or yellow, or scarlet and yellow, 
or by yellow markings upon the body plumage. None of the black- 
colourcd species are so commonly seen as the white birds, and there 
is a popular notion that their presence foretells i-ain, but the writer’s 
observations by no means confirm the statement. 
The exquisite beauty of the paroquets of the country is beyond 
desenption and it is useless attempting to depict it by words. To the 
immigrant, fond of omitbolo^, the field that opens up before him as 
he lauds in this colony is one of beauty and interest, the 
psittacidm alone being a theme of study worthy of a life-time. Among 
them are the elegant polytebs, the gorgeous lories and platycerci, 
which last named genus includes those beautiful and common birds 
the Rose-bill pai-oquets. The grasa-paroqnets are the pei*soniiication 
of elegant, grace, and beauty; one little species, the warbling grass- 
paroquet, which the reader may donhtless have seen in tlio bird shops 
of Loudon, under tlie name of “ love birds,” the writer has frequently 
met with in countless thousands, nesting among the stunted eucalypts 
of the interior level countiy. 
EASOUES, 
This order of bii-ds would be sparingly represented in Australia 
were it not for tlie Pigeons, family Columbidce. Of these there are 
over twenty species, the gi’eat majority of which are to bo found in 
Queensland. They are everj^wdiere, in the forests, in the scnibs, and 
on the far inland plains. The fruit-pigeons of the scrubs vie with 
the paiTota in the superb colouring of their plumage and the beautiful 
metallic and varying hues of these colours The species that frequent 
