36 
TALKING-BIRDS. 
pleasure. They are, in general, natives of Australia and the Indian Islands, 
inhabiting the woods, and feeding upon seeds and fruits. They make their 
nests in decayed trees; and, if taken at an early age, are easily tamed. 
There are several varieties of the cockatoo, of which the broad-crested or 
great white cockatoo is the most common. It is about the size of a com¬ 
mon fowl; the color white, with a faint tinge of rose-color on the head and 
breast, and of yellow on the inner wing and tail feathers. The head has a 
very handsome crest of long feathers, which are of a fine scarlet under¬ 
neath, and cover the whole head. The orbits of the eyes are bare and of a 
deep ash color; the bill is of a bluish black, and very strong. It is of a 
mild and docile disposition, but can rarely be taught any other words than 
its own name. 
The Great Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is somewhat larger than the above; 
its color is white, slightly tinged with yellow on the sides of the tail and 
about the wing coverts; and it has a longish tail. The small sulphur-crested 
cockatoo is much smaller, but is much like the above; its crest is sulphur 
color, and it has in addition a large yellow spot beneath each eye; the bill 
black, and the legs deep lead color. It is a native of the Molucca Islands. 
MANAGEMENT OF PARROTS, ETC. 
All the varieties of parrots require 
great care and attention. Their cages 
should be commodious, strong, and com¬ 
fortable. The perches should be thick 
in the middle, and conveniently placed 
for the bird to exercise himself upon 
without injuring his feathers. Besides 
the perches, there should be hung, quite 
clear of them, at the top of the cage, a 
ring or hook, frgely movable, upon 
which the bird can take exercise, and 
roost at night; and the grasping part 
of this should be of the requisite thick¬ 
ness for the size of his hands or claws. 
Unlacquered brass wire is frequently 
used in the construction of parrot cages, but this is an error which has 
caused many a fine bird’s death. It is impossible to avoid the accumulation 
of verdigris on this metal, and this the bird will peel off. Although the 
effects of the poison may not be manifest for some time, even for a year, 
the bird’s constitution will be gradually undermined, his body will waste, 
and he will die. Let the cage be constructed of tin wire. Attached to the 
perch, one at each extremity, should be the food and drinking vessels. 
They may be made of glass or porcelain. The floor of the parrot cage should 
be well covered with coarse red sand, and the cage itself should be cleaned 
out every day in the summer, and twice a week in the winter. Some prefer 
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