Exliihifiiig Foreign Birds. 267 



various colour varieties, and a very popular exhibit with the 

 public. There were quite twenty enquiries for the Blues, but 

 the present hij^h price of these birds places them beyond the 

 reach of most people. 



CLASS 22^. PARKOTS, COCKATOOS. AX!) MACAWS (7). 



I and s]j.. Mrs. Bur.^ess : A fine cock Eclectus Parrot, 

 a most striking;' and beautiful bird. thouL;"h. for a parrot of sober 

 ,yarb, beiiii^' a \ivid, metallic tureen of various shades, the 

 primaries beini^' dark blue, and the sides and inner wint^-coverts 

 scarlet. The female of this species is a truly s])lendid creature 

 arrayed in a j^'arment of crimson vehet with a broad band of 

 purplish blue upon the breast. 



2. The Marquis of Tavistock: A fine hen (iany-( iani^" 

 C ockatoo. 



3, The Marquis of Tavistock : A lovely cock Gany-Gang'. 

 j\ very attractive bird and, I should imaiiine. a most charmint^' 

 r-nd intelli.ii'ent pet. It appeared to take a .great interest in the 

 proceedings, and was a great favourite with the public, though 

 'I was at the same time treated with the respect that its somewhat 

 f(.rmidable appearance inspired. 'Jdie two birds formed a;i 

 ir.teresting" contrast, the hen being" of a dusky grey colour, each 

 ftather edged with lig^hter grey; whilst the cock is resplendent 

 with the whole of the head and crest a brilliant scarlet. The 

 ciest is strangely reminiscent in shajjc of the ancient Roman 

 ITelmet. Of these two birds the hen is decidedly the larger, 

 but I am unable to say whether such difference in size is a 

 constant feature. Whether the decision of the judge v^as 

 influenced by this circumstance I do not know, Init T could 

 (h'scover no other explanation as to why he placed the hen in 

 front of the cock, as both birds were in the same faultles-^ 

 condition, and from the above it will be easily apparent that 

 the cock is a very much more striking and attractively coloured 

 bird than its mate. One derives a certain amount of quiet 

 amusement from the comments of certain " know-all members 

 (•\ tin oublic. The birds under discussion, for instance, were 

 describefl bv a ladv visitor as being" so common in Xew South 

 WaPs Cv;r> tint no one out there would dream of taking' the 

 trouble to cau'e ore ! ! 



