Crested Ground Parrakeet, Crested Grass Parrakeet, Cockatoo Parrakeet, Coccatile, Coccateel, Joey (Ger., Nymfensittich, Nymfenkakadu, blos Nymfe, Korella, Kakadille, Falkenkakadu, Keilschwanzkakadu, Neuhollandischer Keilschwanzkakatu; Fr., Callopsitte, Perruche callopsitte, Nymphique; Dut., Wigstaart-Kakketoe of Kakatilje) - Description.

As a common object of the bird market, the Cockatiel could hardly present any interest to the reader but that it has lately been observed that some of them learn to speak a few words. It is a pretty but odd-looking bird, and is of value to the fancier because it is peaceable in the aviary and breeds without difficulty. Otherwise it is extremely stupid, and may become wearisome by reason of its continued monotonous cry.

The Cockatiel was described and named by Gmelin in the year 1788. The male bird is of a bright light-yellow on the crest, front of the head, lores, cheeks, chin feathers, and upper part of the throat; near the ear there is a yellowish-red spot; the upper part of the body is of a brownish ashen-grey; the hinder part of the back and the upper coverts of the tail are light ashen-grey; the wings blackish-grey, with very broad white longitudinal stripes, underneath brownish - grey; the central feathers of the tail light-grey, the rest dark-grey, underneath all black; all the under parts of the body lighter than the upper, a pale brownish ashen-grey; the under coverts of the tail a lighter and purer grey (the shading of the plumage varies from almost pure ashen-grey to an olive-greenish grey-brown); the beak horn-grey, brown at the base, the cere grey; eyes dark-brown; grey circle round the eyes; feet light ashen-grey; claws black. The female has a small yellow spot on the forehead; the top of the head and the crest greyish-yellow; front part of the cheeks ashen-grey; a dark orange-yellow spot at the ear; chin feathers greyish-yellow; the hinder part of the back and the rump ashen-grey, finely veined with yellow; all the rest of the upper part of the body a brownish ashen-grey; the broad longitudinal stripes on the wings are not pure white, but yellowish; the upper coverts of the tail are grey, veined with yellow; the under parts of the body are wholly of a lighter pale yellowish-grey; the tail greyish-black, veined with yellow, grey underneath, also veined with yellow; the hinder part of the body and the under coverts of the tail with broad transverse undulating lines of yellow. The plumage of the young birds resembles that of the adult female, but is of a darker brownish-grey; the spot on the ear of a dull brown yellowish-red; the young male bird has already a pale yellowish colour on the cheeks; the belly and tail underneath are brightly veined with yellow; the lower side of the wing has a broad white transverse stripe. In size it is scarcely as large as a jackdaw (length, 12in. to loin.; wings, 6 1/4in. to 6 3/4in.; tail, 5 5/8 in. to 6 1/4in.).

It is found throughout almost the whole of Australia. Its abode is principally in the broad inland plains, yet it appears at irregular intervals in different districts as a migratory bird, or perhaps as a bird of passage.

The development of this bird has been closely observed in captivity, and the account given by Gould has been fully confirmed. It has been bred since the year 1846, and may be found in many aviaries or cages as a brood bird. It lays four, six, or even eleven eggs, and, as in captivity it regularly rears two, three, or even more broods, it may also be supposed to do the same in freedom. At the same time, it is one of the healthiest and most hardy cage birds, and has often been left throughout the winter in rooms without a fire, or even in the open air. A description of the breeding is given in my books mentioned on page 4.

In a cage, the Cockatiel, as a rule, appears very stupid and shy; in its native land, on the contrary, it is accounted very easily tamed and gifted in speech. If one wishes to make a trial of this bird, it is necessary to take a young Joey which can fly and feed itself, and teach it to speak according to the directions given on page 41 and following pages. Such a bird becomes tame surprisingly soon; it is also affectionate, and, as has been remarked, learns some words, though with a thin childlike voice; it can also learn to pipe airs and to whistle the songs of all sorts of birds. Joeys are annually imported in considerable numbers, as well as being bred rather numerously; it is not, however, very numerous in the market. So far as I know, speakers of this species have never been offered for sale.