ly be ascertained by comparing the size of the hirds, exalnining the , and checking the colors and patterns of the . Apart from the hare Palm red cheek patches which do not occur Probosciger aterrimus in any of the black cockatoos, the plumage of Probosciger is almost total­ by Matthew M. Vriends, Ph. D. ly and uniformly hlack in hoth sexes. Rocky Point, New York Conversely, in col­ orful and don1inant bands are located on the tail, and there is quite marked The Probosciger change the color of its naked cheek plumage dimorphism of the sexes in patches from red to pink and vice most of the six . his monotypic genus con­ versa depending on its mood. The relative enornlity of tains the largest and proha­ Excitelnent or alann causes the patch Prooosciger to other species T bly the most spectacular of to viSibly deepen in color, a process and the size of its heak led early the cockatoos. The main diagnostic known as "blushing.» researchers to COlnpare them with features of the genus include the huge, Due to its hlackish color . Even Kuhl, who nalned the sharply pointed, upper lnandible, the Probosciger was fonnerly loosely clas­ genus was compelled to write "Species bare, red cheek-patches, and the sified along with the hlack cockatoos intermedia inter A ra et Kakadoes" naked inner thighs. A peculiarity of the of the genus Calyptorhynchus. Studies (species internlediate between Inaca ws beak is that the upper and lower have revealed however, that and cockatoos)' mandibles do not close con1pletely Probosciger has distinctive anatomical On comparing the hone struc­ together, leaving the black-tipped, red peculiarities which clearly separate it tures of Prohosciger and other cocka­ tongue clearly visible. Another unique from the black cockatoos. The super­ toos species, the great Australian feature is the ability of the to ficiality of any resemblance can qUick- ornithologist, Gregory M. Mathews,

~ OJ C (5 oC '0 Qi .c (f) >. .0 o '0 .c 0..

Is there any u onder about the 1laming of P.a.goliath ..... or Great Palm, when it is compared to olle qf the smaller sllbspecies P.a. aterri177llS or P.a. stelloloplus?

8 Marchi April 2001 wrote that "The osteology differs so 3. Probosciger aterrimus stenolophus secondly (probably) as a means of much from that of other cockatoos that (Van Oort) keeping the bird free from lice." I have separated the present species as The only deviation in of rank, and it is possible that a Native Range: Coastal and inner color is the prominent, backward curv­ closer examination would cause it to lowland areas of to an ing , which appears to be a natu­ be placed nearer the Macaws than the altitude of some 1,300 m. but general­ rally dark gray. The other major color Cockatoos. It is obviously a very iso­ ly below 750 m. Also on islands in deviation is, of course, the naked lated form, however it is viewed, and Geelvink Bay, the Aru Islands, and the cheek patch, which extends from the worthy of extended investigation." West Papuan Islands. The northern tip area of the lores and beneath the eye (Mathews, 1916). of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, into the cheek. The bare flesh is pink­ The specialized beak is unique , south to Princess Charlotte ish toned, but this rapidly becomes among the cockatoos both for its size Bay in the east, and the Archer River in scarlet when the bird is excited or feels and its apparent function. The sharply the west. Formerly, introduced to Kai threatened. pointed tip of the upper mandible Cecil (east of Aru Archipelago) and still General: The cere is feathered, extends well below the lower present in 1981. and the massive beak (see description mandible, making it the largest beak of : The under genus, above) is grayish-black. any psittacine in relation to its body New Guinea and Indonesian popula­ The legs and toes are gray, and the iris size (only in the Hyacinthine , tions of these are under threat is dark brown. The tail is relatively Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, a larger from illegal trade, loss, and long when compared to other cocka­ bird, is the beak consistently more human predation. The Australian popu­ toos, and both the tail and the wing massive). The makeup of the upper lation is under stricter protection. Wild appear somewhat rounded. mandible is interesting in that there are populations of all three subspecies are Dimorphism: Casual observation two projecting areas of flat horny tis­ estimated to be slightly in excess of shows little obvious dimorphism of the sue (rampotheca), which forms three 30,000 individuals. The species is listed sexes, though the male is slightly larger steps. The inner step is used to deal under Appendix I in CITES. and heavier than the female. This, with food items such as small seeds, however, does not help if you are while the middle step deals with the Description observing a small male and a large larger items. The tip of the beak, and Length: 57-69 cm (22-27.5 in) female! A more reliable indication per­ the outermost step are used for tearing depending on subspecies. Weight haps, is the size of the upper mandible open large fruits. Holyoak (1972) con­ Range: 500-1,100 g/ 171/2 -38314 oz. which, in the male, is wider at the base, cluded that, without these specialized Color: The plumage of the Palm and altogether longer. Though broader, steps, the bird would have great diffi­ Cockatoo is uniformly glossy black, its length makes it appear somewhat culty in dealing with small seeds. though it is often described as being more tapered than that of the female. The crest is also quite distinct grayish or slaty black. This "slatiness" is Modern testing methods (e.g. DNA) from that of other cockatoo genera. It due to the powder which is have much alleviated the problems of consists of numerous backward-curv­ produced by the preening gland situ­ sex determination in captive birds. ing, narrow which separate ated over the rump. The powder is Juveniles: Because the powder when the crest is raised. The elongat­ regularly and systematically applied to down is not produced until the young ed feathers give the crest of the Palm the plumage during grooming. In this are a few months of age, they initially Cockatoo a distinctive, plume-like connection, Dr. D.E. d'Ombrain (933) appear to be quite black, though less quality unique among the cockatoos. who made a detailed and prolonged glossy than the adults. Juveniles can be study on a pet over a readily distinguished, however, by the The Palm Cockatoo number of years described the follow­ presence of very fine, light yellow bars Probosciger aterrimus (Gmelin) ing findings: "The usual gland over the on the breast and flanks, as well as on end of the spine has a tuft of down the underwing coverts. This barring, Synonyms: Great Palm Cockatoo, feathers .... This is full of powder secret­ according to d'Ombrain (933), is Great , Cape York ed by the gland. To use the powder, caused by minute yellow dots Cockatoo, Black Macaw, Goliath the bird throws the head completely arranged in parallel rows." Forshaw, Cockatoo, Aratoo. back, at the same time elevating the 1973, describes the barring as "feathers end of its spine to meet the back of the of underwing coverts and underparts Three subspecies are now gener­ head. The latter is then rubbed into the edged with yellow." He also states that ally recognized: tuft and enough powder is obtained to the bill in very young birds is tipped dust over the whole of the feathers, with white, but this is now thought to 1. Prohosciger aterrimus aterrimus including the upper surface of the wing be the hatchling egg tooth, which is (Gmelin) feathers. I am of the opinion that this cast off after a couple of days. powder is designed for two purposes: Very little was known about 2. Prohosciger aterrimus goliath (Kuhl) first to act as a protection from rain and down development in nestling Palm

the afa WATCHBIRD 9 Cockatoos until fairly recently. It is now normal contact call as "a disyllabic into subspecific groupings, it is clear known that hatchlings are completely whistle; the first note is mellow and that physical dimensions could be of naked with a deep pink skin. No juve­ deep, while the second is shrill and considerable importance. After lengthy nile down is developed, and the juve­ high-pitched terminating with an investigation Forshaw (1977) took a nile feathers start to develop within a ahrupt, upward inflection. Other calls bold step in concluding that the Palm few days. Mcgillivray (914), notes that are a deep monosyllabic whistle Cockatoo occurs in only three distin­ nestlings at 3-4 weeks of age resemhle uttered three or four times and a guishable races. Most modern authors, porcupines hecause their sprouting mournful, drawn out, wailing cry." including the author of article, still list feathers are encased in sheaths as much Dr. d'Omhrain (1933), described three suhspecies, as I have done as one or two inches in length. the calls of his pet Palm Cockatoo in ahove, hut the problem remains com­ Variation of Sub!)pecies: Without some detail: " ... my hird has a peculiarly plex and will not he concluded until a adequate comparative material, it loud and not unusual whistle, which is more thorough understanding of the would be almost impossihle to ascer­ uttered at all times of excitement, or genus is reached. tain the suhspecies of Palm Cockatoo when in a merry mood. In addition, The main problems arise from you are dealing with unless you know some notes are as deep as a Raven's, the fact that minor anatomical and size its exact origin. Even then, there may whilst, when alarmed, especially when differences occur throughout the range he problems with those hirds that orig­ the hird is in the dark, it emits a most of the genus and there has, and prob­ inate in areas where suhspecies may hlood-curdling loud and drawn out ahly will continue to he, arguments overlap. As with all wild hirds hred in growl or scream ... The clarion whistle regarding the taxonomic importance of captivity, it is extremely important that notes sound very much like 'cheea-rity­ these differences. natural suhspecies are kept pure. oureeo-reeo' with the latter part (reeo) The resolution of this problem There is, in fact, very little signif­ repeated sometimes six times. While will depend ultimately on further exten­ icant variation in appearance between uttering these calls the mandihles are sive field and lahoratory research. the suhspecies and the suhspecific sta­ opened to their widest, and the larynx tus of some races is still a hone of con­ can he seen working. The call is of such The Palm Cockatoo in the Wild tention among many ornithologists. clear, carrying nature that it can be Dr. W. T. Greene was one of the General ohservations have concluded heard upwards of half a mile away." first authors to describe the Palm that P a. stenolopbus and P a. goliath Ohservers have often descrihed Cockatoo in some detail, in his three are similar in size hut with the former considerahle physical behavior associat­ volume work, in Captivity having a somewhat narrower crest. P ed with the vocal activity. Lendon which was written between 1884 and a. goliath, however, is considered to (973) descrihed its main call note as "a 1887 (TFH Publications, New Jersey, he somewhat larger than P a. ater­ shrill, quite indescribable whistle," and published a reprint of these works in rimus. But this is not necessarily a "it has a peculiar habit of stamping one 1979). The original work was perhaps solution as P a. goliath and P a. ater­ foot when excited or alarmed, and the the only standard reference work for rimus demonstrate considerahle, color of the hare facial patch becomes fanciers at the time and was so inconsistent size variation among the hrighter with the same emotions." for ahout 30 years. Unfortunately the various populations. Interesting display hehavior asso­ work contains few reliable references. VOice: The literature contains ciated with various vocal activities was Greene maintained that the Palm many descriptions of the call of the Similarly reported hy Forshaw (964): Cockatoo was first descrihed in Western Palm Cockatoo. Rand and Gilliard "As the first note of the call is emitted, literature in 1707 hy a certain Van der (967) described it simply as "loud the hird adopts an upright stance with Meulen, a Dutch writer. In 1764, the whistled calls," while MacDonald the crest half raised ... On giving the species was more accurately described (973) depicts it as "a harsh shriek and high pitched drawn out second note hy Edwards after seeing a drawing sent various whistling noises." Other the cockatoo lunges forward, extends to him hy the Dutch governor of ornithologists have studied the calls in the wings, raises the crest and the tail ... Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka). greater detail. Slater (970), for exam­ This display was performed two or The German naturalist Johann ple, noted that the call is disyllabic, a three times in rapid succession hy dif­ Friedrich Gmelin who published the whistle in which the first note is mel­ ferent birds in the tree." From this 13th edition ofLinne's Systema Naturae low and deep and the second a shrill account, it seems that the display/vocal (1789/96) listed the species in the work and prolonged call in an upward activity was not speCifically restricted as "Psittacus erithacus, location Nova inflection." And Diamond (972) "A to courtship behavior. Hollandia, error Salwatty. Extra limital." rapid series of alternative upslurs and For the next 50 or so years, the species downslurs 'whik-whik-whik ... ' at a rate Taxonomical Considerations was discussed only briefly in various of four per second. Occasionally, a We have touched upon the prob­ field notes but it was Macgillivray melodious, whistled jumhled call with lems of systematics and in (Mathews, 1916) who first gave more a quality similar to the Dominella lory." the genus description. In relation to the detailed attention to his observations of Forshaw (973), descrihes the determination of the Palm Cockatoo the Palm Cockatoo in the field. In 1847,

the afa WATCHBIRD 11 Macgillivray, who was an officer on the forest tree tops"." After normal flight eggs, though they do not clarify the British ship HM.5. Rattlesnake, found the birds prepare to land with a long source of this information.. the bird to be quite abundant in the glide directly into a tree, rather than The eggs of the Palm Cockatoo deeper forests although it could, at adopting the spiral course attributed to are white, somewhat pitted and times, be observed in more open areas. other cockatoos. showing limy excrescences. Eggs in When seen, it was invariably perched Palm Cockatoos remain at their the H.L. White Collection and the high in the tops of trees. feeding sites for most of the day return­ Australian museum exhibit a dimen­ When he revisited the area two years ing to their individual roosting sites only sion range of 44.7 - 54.9 x 34.5 - 39.9 later he wrote that the birds were as the sun is setting. In the wild, the mm (Forshaw, 1977). always in pairs and displayed a shyness main food source for Palm Cockatoos is Until relatively recently, little data and wariness which made them difficult the nut of the Screw Pine (Pandanus was available in regard to the courtship to approach. species), though they will also feed behavior of wild Palm Cockatoos, while The Palm Cockatoo indeed is a upon various other seeds, fruits, leaves, information on incubation and rearing wary bird and, when out of the forest, and flowers. Although most authorities was also scarce. The Marquis of it usually perches at the tops of the state that the birds feed primarily in the Tavistock (a serious aviculturist), how­ highest trees often on dead branches trees, they are occasionally seen on the ever, writes in Avicultural Magazine which give the birds an adequate view ground, feeding on low vegetation or (928): "I have a pair of Palm of the surrounding area. According to fallen fruit. Macgillivray (Mathews, Cockatoos in my collection for about a Macdonald (973) it may occasionally 1916) reported finding pieces of quartz year. In the spring they were turned be seen in groups of five to seven indi­ in the birds' gizzards (obviously to help into a large aviary but they have been viduals, but it more generally remains in the digestive process) while Rand so shy and secretive, spending nearly solitary or in the company of its mate. (942) reported finding about two all their time in the shelter, that ... one After spending the night in its tablespoons of sedge seeds (from a might almost have said of them that roosting site, the Great Black Cockatoo small forest floor plant) in a dissected they 'had no habits'. This afternoon, begins to stir and preen itself well after gizzard. however, they were both in the flight sunrise. It then responds to the calls of Early reports that Palm and the hen ... began to make advances other birds in the vicinity. Preening Cockatoos also ate various grubs and to her companion. With her crest partly may take an hour or so before the insects have since been rejected as all erect, she walked up to him in a jaunty birds travel in small groups to the gizzard contents examined reveal evi­ manner, and when quite close puffed "meeting tree." Another Macgillivray dence that the birds feed almost exclu­ out the feathers on her breast. She then and ornithologist (a distant relative of Sively on vegetative materials. faced in the same direction as the cock the Macgillivray mentioned above), Interspecific aggression was and stamped either foot alternatively, observed that these groups of birds observed by Forshaw (964) on two posturing and bowing and cocking her would perform " " .a whole series of occasions when, in each case, a Sulfur­ head in a ridiculously affected manner evolutions and antics. Sometimes a crested Cockatoo galerita which she evidently considered quite pair would take up a position on a galerita had landed on a branch of a becoming. The performance was spout and all the others would try to congregation tree. In the first case the enlivened by the distinctive calls - a displace them by flying at them from intruder was immediately and aggres­ kind of snarling croak and a crescendo all sides, and this would often be kept sively driven off while, in the second scream which I can only describe as up for half an hour." case, the trespasser was "greeted with indistinguishable from that uttered by a The performance described resentment," the Palm Cockatoo rais­ housemaid in bandage with her swain. occurs in the highest of trees in forest ing its crest and approaching the other During the performance the bare skin clearings or at the forest edges. Because with slow deliberate steps. on the hen's face became a much deep­ such tall trees are generally scarce in the er pink. The cock. .. did not respond to more open areas, a single suitable tree Reproduction of her advances, but made no attempt to often becomes a favorite meeting place Palm Cockatoos drive her away." for long periods. After their morning In the Wild Another reference from preening and recreation sessions, the To date, most evidence points to Tavistock (933) describes his observa­ birds fly off together to the feeding there being only a single egg in a tions of the male feeding the female, grounds, the departure usually initiated clutch. Only one egg, nestling, or fledg­ but again no further "mating" interest by a single "leader." The flight of the ling was found in any of the 17 nests was noted. Palm Cockatoo is slow and majestic but inspected by McLelland in his expedi­ Wood (984) provides the first somewhat labored; several, almost tion to Cape York Peninsula in 1911 (as substantial description of courting Palm leisurely, wing beats being interspersed reported in Macgillivray, 1914). Cockatoos in the wild. He studied a pair with periods of gliding. Forshaw (964) However, Eastman and Hunt (966) in of birds in the Cape York Peninsula states that they" ... make a most impres­ their book Parrots ofAustralia maintain between March and August 1983. Most sive sight as they float through the rain that the average clutch contains two courtship activity occurred early morn- 12 MarchiApril 2001 ings and late afternoons. One of the pair was seen to pirouette around the Commercial Member top of a tree trunk with its wings out­ stretched while ... "beating the trunk with an object in its left foot. .. " The dis­ Arizona New Jersey play was interspersed by head rolling Ross E. Babcock, DVM· 602-944-9661 Lisa-Anne Attanasi, DVM· 201-461-8651 Palo Verde Hospital, Phoenix Englewood Cliffs Veterinary, Englewood Cliffs and erection of the crest. After witness­ California ing the display from a nearby vantage Eduardo Acosta, DVM Dean J. Cerf, DVM· 201-447-6000 point, the partner flew down to join the Christy Berg, DVM Ridgewood Vet. Hospital, Ridgewood Sunset Cliffs Animal Clinic, San Diego New York other bird which proceeded to stroke J.C. Adsit, DVM· 518-463-0600 the partner on the neck with its head. Robert Stonebreaker, DVM· 619-755-9351 Albany Wood does not distinguish the sexes in Animal & Bird Hospital, Del Mar Laura L. Wade, DVM· 716-832-2800 his report. Low (1993) reports observ­ Max Weiss, DVM & Margolin, DVM Blue Cross Small Animal Clinic, Amherst ing (via a monitor screen) a captive 818-881-6344 Tarzana Heidi Hoeffer, DVM· 631-271-2359 male displaying to a female. Perching Delaware West Hills Animal Hospit9.l, Huntington next to the female the male turned his Morgan Dawkins, DVM· 302-998-2995 Nevada head sideways, briefly shook his head, Windcrest Animal Hospital, Wilmington Patrick W. Hauck, DVM· 702-734-9761 opened his wings and held them open Florida Flamingo Pet Clinic, Las Vegas Tina Merrit, DVM· 352-753-5333 Ohio for a few seconds. "He then whistles Animal Clinic of Lady Lake Ram Mohan, DVM· 614-755-2273 and calls 'oow-wah '." Lady Lake Ram Avian Health Clinic, Reynoldsburg Although our knowledge of the Bern M. Levine, DVM· 305-595-1674 Linda Wiley, DVM· 440-826-1520 Palm Cockatoo's reproductive cycle Last Chance Farm, Inc, Miami Metropet Animal Hospital, Berea and rearing of young in the wild is vir­ Rhoda Stevenson, DVM· 909-268-0204 Wallace E. Wendt, DVM· 216-521-0533 tually non-existent, there have been Exotic Bird Hospital, Jacksonville Drs. Wallace & Wendt Animal Hospital, Lakewood some observations on nest prepara­ Pennsylvania Tim Swango, DVM· 941-676-6176 tion. The nest is invariably situated in a Edward Bennett, DVM· 724-444-6600 Swango Animal Hospital, Lake Wales hollow trunk or limb in the highest of All Pet Hospital, Gibsonia Georgia trees, often 50 feet or more above the Kitty Remington, DVM· 912-243-0380 Linda Stern, DVM· 717-730-3755 Animalhouse Vet Services, Bainbridge ground. The cavity of the nest may be Avian & Feline Hospital, Camp Hill as much as 10 feet down in the hol­ lIIinios Susan Horton, DVM· 847-329-8709 Puerto Rico low. Palm Cockatoos are the only Chicago Exotics-Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital Hector Perez, DVM· 787-816-3467 members of the cockatoo family Skokie Arecibo Tennessee known to construct a "nest" from Samuel Ristich, DVM· 630-820-6999 Shanon B. McGee, DVM· 901-853-8519 materials collected from outside the Aurora Collierville Animal Clinic, Collierville nest cavity (other cockatoo species Texas Peter Sakas, DVM· 847-647-9325 may inadvertently line the nest hollow Roy Cruzen, DVM· 281-890-7257 Niles Steeplechase Animal Hospital, Houston with wood chips originating from cav­ Minnesota ity enlargement). A layer of wood John Baillie, DVM. 612-721-7431 Bob M. Denton, DVM· 817-297-6939 Minneapolis Deer Creek Animal Hospital, Crowley splinters is carefully laid by the birds at Massach usetts the bottom of the hole, to act as a bed Wendy Emerson, DVM· 978-887-3836 SA Fronefield, DVM· 713-495-9445 for the Single egg. The breeding pair Mobile Veterinary Services, Topsfield ABC Animal & Bird Clinic, Houston

collect pieces of wood and sticks of William C. Sager, DVM· 508-486-3101 Sharmen Hoppes· 281-859-6648 varying sizes, take them to the nest Littleton Animal Hospital, Littleton Copperfield Animal Clinic, Houston

entrance and drop them into the cavi­ Maryland Karen Lass, DVM· 972-985-0081 ty. They then climb into the hollow William Boyd, DVM· 410-686-6310 Preston Park Animal Hospital, Dallas Pulaski Veterinary Clinic, Baltimore and splinter the wood gradually into Jan Raines, DVM· 214-221-4394 pieces about the size of matchsticks. Bonnie J. Miller, DVM· 410-363-2040 Dallas The layer of sticks may be anything Animal Avian & Exotics, Owings Mills Missouri Agnes E. Rupley, DVM· 409-696-4411 from a few centimeters to more than a David Kersting, DVM· 314-469-6661 All Pets Medical Center, College Station meter in depth Bird Medicine & Surgery, Chesterfield Virginia It is thought that this "bedding" Mississippi Rose Fiskett, VMD, dipl. abvp, serves two purposes, the major one VCA Animal Hospital of Livonia· 248-615-7670 703-425-PETS North Carolina specialty avian practice being to prevent the egg or chick Lauren Powers, DVM· 919-918-4000 Potomac Valley Veterinary Hospital being submerged and/or drowned Timberlyne Animal Clinic, Chapel Hills Fairfax during periods of heavy rain. Mark J. Stehr, DVM· 704-933-1414 Secondly, the loosely laid stick plat­ South Ridge Veterinary Clinic, Kannapolis form will allow fecal matter to pene-

the afa WATCHBIRD 13 trate below the surface and help keep (1970 and 1972) both of which left the the nest dry and clean. nest after 78 days. The breeding season for Palm A number of successes have Cockatoos of Cape York Peninsula is been reported from public collections

July to January and nestlings have since the early 1980s the most notable been found as early as the first week being Leipzig Zoo (Germany) which of August and as late as the end of reared eight chicks to maturity from January. Most breeding, however, 1981 through 1989. The most success­ seems to occur between September es of all, however, are reported by the and November. In New Guinea, Avicultural Breeding and Research reports suggest that the birds breed Center (ABRC) a privately owned somewhat later. In Rand (942) enterprise at Loxahatchee, Florida, Archbold reports finding specimens USA, who claim to have hand-reared with enlarged gonads during August. more than 20 individuals in the period Ripley (942), however, states that, in 1987-199l. his experience, P a. goliath breeds pri­ A stud book for the Palm marily in December. Cockatoo was started in the USA in 1985. During 1985-1991, 74 chicks Captive Breeding were reported hatched at various There are few reports of suc­ establishments, of which 49 survived cessful breeding of the Palm Cockatoo more than one year (Low, 1993). in captivity prior to 1975. Lack of suc­ Bibliography cess could be attributed to a number Diamond. Jared M. Avifauna of the Eastern of factors. Maybe the species has a Highlands of New Guinea. Nullall natural inhibition to reproducing in Ornithological Club. Cambridge, 1972. Forshaw. Joseph M. Some field observations on captivity or perhaps not enough spec­ the Great Palm Cockatoo. Fmu, Vol. imens are kept to make up viable 64, 1964. pp. 327-331 breeding pairs. The most likely reason Forshaw, Joseph M. Australian Parrots, Landsdowne Press. Melbourne, 1969. is that environmental conditions for Eastman. William It and Alexander C. Hunt. The captive birds were not quite right. Parrots of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Melbourne. 1966. Modern breeding successes of many Greene, Dr. W. T. Parrots in CaptiIJily (original­ species of have only occurred ly published in three volumes between 1884 and 1887). Editor Dr. after careful consideration has been Matthew M. Vriends. TFH. given to providing "natural" condi­ Publications, New Jersey, 1979. tions or close compromises. Holyoak, D. T Adaptive significance of bill shape in the Palm Cockatoo. There are some early reports of AlJiculture Magazine, Vol, 78, 1972, infertile eggs being laid - as in pp. 99 - 100. Iredale, T. Bird~ (!! New Guinea. Volume I d'Ombrain's pet, which laid over 80 Georgian HOllse, Melbourne, 1956. eggs in a course of 20 years Lendon, Alan H. Australian Parrots in Field and (d'Ombrain, 1933) - and the few Aviary. Angus & Robertson. Melbollrne, 1973. clutches of fertile eggs reported have Low, Rosemary. Cockatoos in Auiculture. either failed to hatch or the hatched Blandford, London, 1993. Mathews, G. H. The Birds (!! Australia. Vol. IV. youngsters ejected. Witherby, London, 1916. A few unsubstantiated reports Macgillivray, Dr. W. Notes on some north exist on successful breedings but the Queensland birds. h;mu, Vol. XIII, 1914, pp. 132 - 186. first documented success was reported d'Ombrain, Dr. E. A. Notes on the Great Black by Robert T. Lynn of Sydney, Australia Cockatoo. Fmu, Vol. XXXIII, 1933, pp. 114 - 121. in 1968 (Sindell and Lynn, 1989). The Rand, A. B. and B. T. Gilliard. Handbook of New breeding pair had been collected from GUinea Birds. Weidenfeld and the wild in New Guinea about 30 Nicolson, London. 1967. Sinden, S. and It Lynn. Australian Cockatoos. years previously. The nest was in a Singil Press, New South Wales, 1989. vertical hollow log about 1.5 m (5 ft) Slater, P. A Field GUide to Australian Birds. Rigby, Melbourne, 1970. high. The cavity was 37-45 cm 05-18 Tavistock, Marquess of. The display of the Palm in) in diameter and the entrance was Cockatoo. Magazine, ser. near the top. The male fledged at 81 4, Vol. 6, 1928, p. 291 Tavistock, Marquess of. Breeding notes for 1933. days. Two further successful breed­ Avicu/ture Magazine, 4th ser., Vol. II, ings were reported, both females 1933, pp. 319 - 387 . .,.,.

14 MarchiApril 2001