279 



Tricolored, was awarded third prize, equally perfect 

 as far as condition and staging were concerned, but 

 hardly so rare a bird. A very sweet Blue Sugar-bird 

 (^Dac7iis caya7ia) took an extra third. What a sensation 

 the first example of this beautiful species created 

 when exhibited some 5^ears since at the Palace ! If I 

 remember rightly it was a female in adult plumage, 

 and won the Special Prize for the best foreign bird 

 in the Show. The last few years this charming 

 little bird has been more freely imported and can now 

 be bought at a reasonable price. 



A White-capped Tanager {^Stephanophorus leu- 

 cocephalus) took fourth prize. This particular bird 

 looked as if he had managed to get some sticky sub- 

 stance on to his plumage, which was matted and dull ; 

 perhaps he is an old bird. At Regent's Park there 

 was for many years a very perfect kS. leiccocephahts to 

 be seen in the Insect House. On one occasion only 

 have I ever had the opportunity of obtaining the 

 female of this brilliant Tanager. Other noticeable 

 exhibits iti this class were a Blue-and-Black Tanager 

 {Ta7iagrella cya^iomelcBiia), a Silver -blue Tanager 

 {Tanagra ca7ia), several Superbs {C. fastiiosa), two or 

 three pairs of Zosterops, a nice hen Dacnis cayana, 

 and a Scarlet Tanager. 



Class 150. All species of Croivs, Pies, Stafli7igs, 

 My7iahs, Ha7ig7iests, Jays, a7id Troiipials. A lordly list 

 surely ! but I was disappointed on examining the class. 

 A very perfect Purple-headed Glossy Starling {La77ipro- 

 colius auratics) easily stood at the head of the class, a 

 Hunting Crow (^Cissa ve7iatoria) coming second; what 

 a pity it is that this elegant bird cannot be moulted 

 in confinement without losing its brilliancy of 

 plumage; numerous examples have been in m}^ 

 possession at different times, but the secret of success- 

 fully moulting this handsome Cissa true to colour, so 

 to speak, has yet to be discovered. This particular 



