99 



BRITISH BIRDS AT THE CRYSTAL 

 PALACE. 



So far as numbers were coiicenied there was a 

 marked falling off in comparison with last year, when 

 the N. B. B. and M. C. guaranteed the whole of the 

 British Bird and Hybrid section, including many new 

 Classes which had never been given before, with the 

 result that the Show was a pronounced success. This 

 year our Club were never even approached upon the 

 subject, which to say the least was disappointing and 

 discouraging; but, notwithstanding, there was a goodly 

 array of British Birds and Hybrids. It seems that 

 nothing is easier than to find fault, but we do not do so 

 in any but a kindly spirit, and even our worthy Vice- 

 President, Mr. J. F. Hills, told us. in a lecture, many years 

 ago, that on going the round of the Show after judging 

 he would oftentimes have altered his awards: birds are 

 often not themselves till many hours after the judging 

 has taken place. 



The Bullfinch Class contained some fine specimens of 

 British Bullfinches, but we are of opinion that the land 

 of birth of many of the exhibits was far removed from 

 Ivngland. We have now a standard of what a British 

 lUillfinch should be, and hope to see those foreign look- 

 ing birds left out entirely, and we were glad to notice 

 that the judge left most of them out. It is no light task 

 for a judge to find the best bird out of a class of 42 ; but 

 nobody can dispute, I venture tosa}', that the judge found 

 the first prize, Mr. S. Mclyaughland's, a real extra fine 

 Britisher. 1349, Mr.Massey's, looked like a house-moulted 

 specimen and a noted winner. 1379 we thought a good 

 one. 1384 was one of the best coloured in the Class, but 

 this poor bird could hardly move from perch to perch 

 for the dirt accumulated on his feet. 1388 was another 

 good bird not mentioned. Only six of our members 

 showed in this Class. 



The Goldfinches for quality were almost as tip top as 

 ever, although not many in number (66). Three years 



