CALYPTORHYNCHUS NASO: Gould
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.