_J. Gould and H.C. Richter del et lith._ _Hullmandel & Walton Imp._
]
CALYPTORHYNCHUS NASO, _Gould_.
Western Black Cockatoo.
_Calyptorhynchus naso_, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part IV. p. 106.
_Kar-rak_, Aborigines of the mountain and lowland, and
_Keer-jan-dee_ of the Aborigines of the northern districts of Western
Australia.
_Red-tailed Black Cockatoo_ of the Colonists.
The characters by which this species is distinguished from the
_Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus_, are a smaller bill and a shorter and
more rounded crest; the same characters, which I know to be constant,
also distinguish it from the _C. Banksii_. The bill is inclined to be
gibbose, like that of _C. Leachii_, to which species it also offers a
further alliance in its shorter contour, rounded crest, and short tail.
The extent of range enjoyed by the _Calyptorhynchus naso_ I have not
been able to ascertain; its great stronghold appears to be the colony of
Swan River, where it inhabits all parts of the country. As might be
expected, its habits and economy closely resemble those of the other
members of the genus. Except in the breeding-season, when it pairs, it
may often be observed in companies of from six to fifteen in number.
It breeds in the holes of trees, making no nest, but merely collecting
the soft dead wood on which to deposit its eggs, which are generally
placed in trees so difficult of access that even the natives dislike to
climb them. The eggs are four or five in number; the four given to Mr.
Gilbert by the son of the colonial chaplain were taken by a native from
a hole in a very high white gum-tree, in the last week of October; they
are white, one inch and eight lines long by one inch and four lines
broad.
It flies slowly and heavily, and while on the wing utters a very harsh
and grating cry, resembling the native name.
The stomach is membranous and capacious, and the food of those examined
contained seeds of the _Eucalypti_, _Banksiæ_, &c.