73 



THE FORTHCOMING PALACE SHOW. 



Sir, — I have just received the Scliedule. I see that 

 there is an interval of ahnost three weeks between the 

 close of the entries and the Show : a week is quite long 

 enough. Then there is the absurd system of consecutive 

 numbering— 1 to i,ooo, with A, B, C, D, etc., thrown 

 in occasionally. Why not number each class separately ? 



As to the Abrahams Memorial Trophy — how is the 

 rarest bird to be decided upon ? Is it to be the most 

 rarely imported— however common it is in its native 

 land ? Or is it to be the rarest in its own conntr}'- ? We 

 consider Grenate Finches ver}' rare, but I am told they 

 are common enough in certain parts of S. Africa— rit is 

 getting them down to the coast which is the difficulty. 



W. OSBAIvDKSTON. 



THE CRESTED MYNAH. 



Sir, — Having kept this bird several times I am able to 

 reply to "Amazon's" query. ''Jacob," my last and 

 perhaps best specimen, was a right tame old chap. He 

 would follow me about anywhere, and was allowed to fly 

 in and out of his cage at will. A mealworm would 

 always entice him out — often, he would come out of his 

 cage and have a run round the aviary, surveying all as 

 he went along. His inquisitiveness eventually cost him 

 his life, as a Javan Parrakeet took a great dislike to him ; 

 in spite of which he persisted in venturing close to this 

 Parrakeet's cage, until the latter managed to get holaof 

 him, and, drawing him through the wire, bit his neck. 



Crested Mynahs are quaint-looking birds. They 

 have no song worth mentioning, but when they get 

 attached to you, and you to them, their croak sounds 

 pleasant. They are very easily kept on any soft food 

 mixture— I use one of my own preparation. They are 

 fond of a bath, and do not object to being washed. 



In plumage this bird is very sombre, but the almost 

 Leadbeater-like crest makes him look smart. He is about 

 the size of an English Starling, though rather more robust 

 But in general appearance he is atypical vStarling. 



W. OSBAI.DKSTON. 



