Psittacus sulphureus, Russ. Synonyms: Albus galeritus, Cacatua luteo-cristata, Cacatua sulphured, Plyctolophus sulphureus, etc.

German: Der Kleine gelbgehaubte Kakadu.

THIS bird is a miniature presentment of the great Australian Lemon-crested Cockatoo, but, according to our experience, lacks the intelligence and docility of the latter, it is about fourteen inches in length; the beak, feet, and legs are black, the orbits white, and the irides red or black, according to the sex of the individual. The general colour of the plumage is white, with a primrose yellow shade on the wings and tail, as well as a spot of the same colour beneath the eyes; the crest is acuminate, and composed of soft feathers of a bright lemon tint, the ends of which, when the appendage is erect, have a forward inclination.

Lesser Lemon-Crested Cockatoo.

It is a native of the Moluccas, and also occurs in the Celebes Islands, and has been known to Parrot fanciers since the days of Buffon, who named it le Cacatoes a huppe jaune. Many of these birds are yearly imported into Europe, but are more frequently to be met with in Holland and France, than in England, or in Germany.

While unable ourselves to say much in favour of this bird, we feel bound in justice to it to append the favourable testimony as to its merits that is to be found in Dr. Karl Russ's Handbook. - "The variety from the Celebes has been longest in the market, but is still a favourite, and in much request, and learns to speak easily and well; it is very tame and more docile than any other."

This is strong praise, and we incline to the belief that the doctor I. c was singularly fortunate in the individual he possessed; but perhaps it was we that were unfortunate, for Mr. Wiener corroborates the account of this bird given by Dr. Russ, and in his charming, but too brief, book on Foreign Birds, writes, "This Cockatoo (the Lesser Lemon-Crest) becomes very tame and affectionate, is quite hardy, but not as good a talker as the Rose-crested and Greater White-crested Cockatoos (Psittacus Moluccensis and Psittacus leucolophus), although a much better linguist than the Australian Cockatoos."

Bechstein also wrote of this bird: - "It comes from the same country as the Great White Cockatoo, to which it yields neither in elegance, intelligence, docility, nor mildness. It is fond of caresses, and returns them with pleasure: all its motions are equally full of grace, delicacy, and beauty."

After that we feel that we are quite out of court, and must reverse our judgment, merely remarking that birds have their several idiosyncrasies, and people do not half enough consider this; although there is, of course, a certain character running through every species, thus Cockatoos will be easily tamed, while Platycerci are shy; but, apart from that, individuals differ immensely, and, as we have said, we appear to have been exceptionally unfortunate in our experience with several species, and think we must try again at the first opportunity.

Writing of this bird, which he names the "Citron-crested Cockatoo", Mr. W. C. Gedney says: "these birds are much more docile and less excitable than their relations, the Great White Cockatoo" - by which latter Mr. Gedney means the Australian Lemon-Crested Cockatoo (Psittacus galeritus).

Very little is known concerning these birds in their wild state, except that, like all the rest of the family, they breed in the holes of trees, where the female lays two or three white eggs on the bare wood, and has, usually, two broods in the season: we are not aware that they have ever bred in captivity, but we see no reason why they, as well as many of their congeners, should not do so, if placed in suitable quarters, with appropriate surroundings; whether it would be worth anyone's while to make the attempt, except as a matter of curiosity, is another question - we think not. Jardine, however, says: "In captivity the female sometimes produces eggs, and we have now specimens by us which were laid by one at rather peculiar periods, namely: the 21st. of June, 21st. of September, and 21st. of December; but whether this resulted from the peculiar economy of the bird, as acted upon by the seasons, or was the effect of the confinement, we are unable to determine."

The fact of the bird laying every three months on the same day of the month, is certainly very singular, and we are of opinion that it was simply a coincidence and nothing more.

The food of this species is hemp and canary seed, oats and maize, the latter boiled, green food, such as watercress, endive, dandelions, and so on; they are also very fond of the flowers of mignonette, groundsel-tops, and the opening buds of the dandelion: they require water to drink, but "sop" is not fit for them, and milk or meat should never be given, as both meat and milk heat the blood of these birds, and cause skin irritation which impels the poor creatures to pluck out their feathers.

We dwell more particularly upon the latter point that many people hold a contrary opinion, and never allow their birds to drink, but force them to eat bread and milk sop.

It would be curious, and interesting, to trace the origin of the deeply-rooted prejudice that exists, in this country and in no other, as far as we can gather, against giving water to captive Parrots; but we have entirely failed to discover whence it arose, or when; but undoubtedly it must have been in the "dark ages" of bird-keeping, and we hope it will soon die out, although the authorities at the Zoological Gardens in London still cling to it in an illogical and fitful manner; for we have seen water allowed to the occupants of some cages in the "Parrot House", and withheld from others of the same species placed at the opposite end of the room. On questioning the keeper as to why water was not allowed, he seemed to be quite in the dark, and said he supposed it was in order to prevent the birds making a mess in their cages: which, certainly, is no sufficient reason for the actual and positive cruelty of keeping a bird, that naturally drinks, from access to water, and compelling it, although by nature a small eater, to swallow a large quantity of wet food for the sake of the moisture contained in it; and hence, without doubt, one cause of the very recent dates attached to most of the cages in the Parrot House at the, otherwise, admirably conducted Institution in the Regent's Park, familiarly known to so many visitors to London as the "Zoo".

We say "most of the cages" advisedly, for there is one veteran, a Black Madagascar Parrot (Psittacus Vasa), that has existed there, without water! for fifty-three years, having been presented to the Society in May, 1831! and must have been at least a year or two old then: at present this bird shows no sign of decrepitude, beyond a roughness of the plumage and a drooping of the wings.

Nevertheless, the fact of the survival of this veteran under what we cannot but consider most unfavourable conditions is no argument in favour of the system of diet pursued by its custodians, but, on the contrary, against it. Let any candid reader imagine the sufferings that must have been endured by this poor creature, pent up in a small cage, in which it cannot much more than turn round, for so long a period, cramped for want of exercise and panting for a cooling drink during the many hot summer days when it has been forced to eat sop to repletion, for sake of the moisture necessary to slake its thirst. The picture is, really, too horrible for contemplation, and we trust may not be without effect in arousing public attention to what we cannot but consider a very great abuse.

The Lesser Lemon-crested Cockatoo is, by a majority of votes, pronounced to be an amiable and desirable subject for a lady's pet, docile and intelligent, not given to bite or scream, but, generally, good-tempered and well-disposed. So be it; we do not pretend to infallibility, and where we have been misinformed or misled, are not above acknowledging our error, and apologising for it.

We purpose, therefore, obtaining one, or a couple if we can, of these Cockatoos at the first favourable opportunity, and giving them a trial; when we hope to have a more favourable experience to record than has, so far, fallen to our lot in this connection.