Great Black Cockatoo.

Rare, c.19th hand coloured engraving of the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo.

The first sighting of the Red-tailed black Cockatoo was made on 4th July 1770 by Sydney Parkinson at Endeavour River while the ship the Endeavour was careened for repairs. A specimen was taken back to England by Joseph Banks and from this, the first scientific description was made by John Latham in 1790.

Other common names: Banksian Cockatoo, Red-Tailed Cockatoo
Binomial name: Calyptorhynchus banksii
Aboriginal names: A-Rdarrabiyah in Ngandi, Biliirr in Gamilaraay / Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi, Biliirr in Yuwaalaraay, Biliirr in Yuwaalayaay, Blek Krela in Kriol, Blekwan Kokudu in Kriol, Darrabiya’ in Ritharrŋu, Darrabiyah in Rembarrnga, Kaarak in Wudjari, Lirrarduma in Alawa, Lirrarduma in Marra, Ngerrkngerrk in Kriol, Rdarrabiya in Ngalakgan, Warrag in Wubuy
First described: Latham, 1790
Distribution: Australian mainland.

The source of this illustration as noted by the publisher;
Of these botanical productions, and other rare objects of natural history, by the friendship of a gentleman in an official department, who was for many years resident, we possess a very valuable collection of original drawings, executed with admirable accuracy and taste.

From; The Naturalist’s Pocket Magazine; or, Compleat Cabinet of the Curiosities and Beauties of Nature

References:
George, A. Capturing Flora / 300 Years of Australian Botanical Art. Ballarat 2013 p.42 ill. p.44.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 3202841