_J. Gould and H.C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._
]
CACATUA EOS.
Rose-breasted Cockatoo.
_Psittacus Eos_, Kuhl, Nova Acta, tom. x. p. 88.—Temm. Pl. Col., 81.
_Cacatua rosea_, Vieill. Gal. des Ois., tom. ii. p. 5. pl. 25.—Ib.
Ency. Méth. Orn., Part iii. p. 1414.—Less. Traité d’Orn., p. 183.
_Plyctolophus Eos_, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 269.
_Rose-coloured Cockatoo_, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. ii. p. 207.
_Cacatua roseicapilla_, Wagl. Mon. Psitt, in Abhand., pp. 504, 691.
—— _Eos_, Less. Man. d’Orn., tom. ii. p. 143.
_The Rose Cockatoo_, Sturt’s Travels in Australia, vol. ii. pl. in p.
79.
This beautiful Cockatoo is abundantly dispersed over a great part of the
interior of Australia; both Oxley and Sturt speak of it as inhabiting
the country to the north-west of the Blue Mountain range of hills; in
fact, few travellers have visited the interior without having had their
attention attracted by its appearance; and I saw it in great numbers on
the plains bordering the river Namoi, particularly under the Nundewar
range of Sir Thomas Mitchell; I possess specimens also from the north
coast, procured by the Officers of the Beagle. A difference however,
which may hereafter prove to be specific, exists between the birds from
New South Wales and those of the north coast. Those from the latter
locality are the largest in size, and have the bare skin round the eye
more extended; the rosy colour of the breast and the grey colouring of
the back are darker than in the specimens I killed on the Namoi.
The Rose-breasted Cockatoo possesses considerable power of wing, and
like the house-pigeon of this country, frequently passes in flocks over
the plains with a long sweeping flight, the group at one minute
displaying their beautiful silvery grey backs to the gaze of the
spectator, and at the next by a simultaneous change of position bringing
their rich rosy breasts into view, the effect of which is so beautiful
to behold, that it is a source of regret to me that my readers cannot
participate in the pleasure I have derived from the sight. I was
informed by the natives of the Namoi that the bird had so recently
arrived in the district, that until within the last two years it had
never been seen; they supposed it to have migrated from the north or
interior of the country. During the years 1839 and 1840 it bred in
considerable numbers in the boles of the large _Eucalypti_ skirting the
Nundewar range before alluded to, and afforded an abundant supply of
young ones for the draymen and stock-keepers to transport to Sydney,
where they are sold for a considerable sum to be shipped to England; and
as they are very hardy, and bear cold and confinement extremely well,
and are perfectly contented in a cage, we have, perhaps, more of them
living in England at the present time than of any other species of the
genus. I have seen it as tame in Australia as the ordinary denizens of
the farm-yard, enjoying perfect liberty, and coming round the door to
receive food in company with the pigeons and poultry, amongst which it
mingled on terms of intimate friendship.
In a letter received from my friend Captain Sturt, he says, “The
Rose-breasted Cockatoo is a bird of the low country entirely and limited
in the extent of its habitat, never being found in any great number on
the banks of the Darling, or rising higher than 600 feet above the level
of the sea. It feeds on _Salsolæ_, and occupies those vast plains which
lie immediately to the westward of the Blue Mountains. It has a peculiar
flight, and the whole flock turning together show the rose-colour of the
under surface with pretty effect.” I have not yet seen specimens of this
bird from any part of the Swan River colony, neither did I observe it in
any part of South Australia that I visited; the eastern and northern
portions of Australia are evidently those most frequented by it.
The eggs, which are white, are generally three in number, about an inch
and a half long by an inch and an eighth broad.
The young at first are covered with long, fine downy feathers, which at
an early age give place to the colours which characterize the plumage of
the adult.
The sexes do not differ in colouring and scarcely in size, but
individuals differ considerably in the depth of the tint of the under
surface, some being much deeper than others, and in the extent of the
bare space round the eye.
Crown of the head pale rosy white; all the upper surface grey, deepening
into brown at the extremity of the wings and tail, and becoming nearly
white on the rump and upper tail-coverts; sides of the neck, all the
under surface from below the eyes and the under surface of the shoulder
rich deep rosy red; thighs and under tail-coverts grey; irides rich deep
rosy red; orbits brick-red; bill white; feet mealy dark brown.
The figures are of the natural size.
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