I shall want to get a good white cockatoo," said Nic, eagerly plunging into the subject, so as to try and make up for the suspicion he had displayed.
"Oh yes, sir," said the man, who now showed not the slightest resentment.

"There will be plenty of work for you in that way.

You can get the sulphur crests, and those with orange crests, and the rose-coloured, and the pretty grey creamy-yellowish-cheeked birds which have the cockatoo's crest and the long tail of the paroquet." "I don't know of these," said Nic eagerly.
"The country swarms with beautiful birds, sir, especially with those of the parrot tribe.

There is the black cockatoo, for instance--not that you'll care for it." "Why ?" said Nic.
"Because it is ugly," said Leather, smiling, as if he enjoyed the boy's enthusiasm.

"It is wanting in bright feathers, but it is a curious bird, with a tremendously strong beak." "I must have a specimen, though," said Nic.