The NOSE COCKATOO (_Licmetis nasicus_) is from sixteen to seventeen
inches in length; the beak measures along the ridge about two inches.
Both sexes are of the same colour, the whole plumage being white, the
under-wing and tail-covers mottled with pale brimstone yellow. All the
feathers on the head and neck as far as the upper part of the breast,
are vermilion red, white at the tip; a vermilion stripe runs across the
forehead, reaching to the back, and passes like a pair of eyebrows over
the eyes. There is also a crooked line of red upon the breast. The beak
is light horn colour, the feet ash grey. Some of the feathers near the
cheeks can be raised at will. Gould considers that there are two species
of this bird, one of which is found in Western Australia or New South
Wales, the other is confined to Port Philip and Southern Australia.
[Illustration: THE NESTOR COCKATOO (_Nestor productus_).]
The Nose Cockatoos seem rather to inhabit the interior than the
neighbourhood of the sea-coast. They assemble in large flocks, and spend
the night and noon-day upon the summits of the forest trees; passing,
however, a considerable portion of their time on the ground, where they
run, or rather hop, somewhat slowly; their flight, on the contrary, is
very rapid, and much lighter than that of their congeners. Their food
consists of corn and seeds, but principally of buds and the bulbs of
different plants, more especially of orchids, which they obtain by the
help of their long and curiously shaped beak. The breeding of these birds
offers nothing unusual; their two white eggs, which resemble those
of the Tufted Cockatoos, are generally laid on a bed of decayed wood
upon the ground, or in some hole in a large gum-tree. This species can
endure captivity for many years, and has lately been brought to Europe
in great numbers, but, notwithstanding this, it is not often met with in
our collections. Gould has observed that a caged Nose Cockatoo is much
more sullen, gloomy, and irritable than others of its race, and this
we can fully confirm, having had for a year one of these birds in our
possession, that has never become reconciled to its keeper, but threatens
with its beak all who approach; it cannot endure to be stroked or
touched, and everything unusual excites its rage; at such times it erects
the small horseshoe-shaped crest upon its brow, so that the splendid
red feathers are displayed, wags its head violently, repeatedly snaps
its beak, and screams most furiously. The word "cockatoo" is mingled
with its cries, but uttered in quite another tone to that employed by
its congeners; the latter generally utter it in a soft drawling manner,
whilst the Nose Cockatoo on the contrary pronounces the two first
syllables hurriedly, and lays a strong emphasis on the last. The facility
with which this parrot can move its beak in any direction is very
remarkable, and no other species that we are acquainted with has such
suppleness and command of the joints of its jaws. The beak of the Nose
Cockatoo is, indeed, the most extraordinary pair of pincers that ever
was constructed. In justice to this bird, we must add to the foregoing
remarks that it may occasionally be made very tame, and not only
learns to speak, but is able to apply its language very intelligently.
There is one in the Zoological Gardens at Antwerp that is an universal
favourite with the visitors, with whom it converses freely, greeting its
acquaintances as soon as they appear, without the slightest ill-humour or
sullenness.