lOI 



Bravihlefinches, 17, last year totalliii.sf 25. Here we 

 were all at sea as to the judging; the first prize winner 

 being a very poor bird, the mantle showing more grey 

 than black, but very steady. Second and third were far 

 away the best, 1583, Miss PauU's, was the best in the 

 Class. 1589, Mr. Adams', should have been higher up ; 

 in fact, three or four others were better than the winner, 

 claimed at 12/6. 



Hav'finches. To our thinking the first three were a 

 very even lot indeed, all looking in the best of form, 

 feather, sheen and color. We were sorry to see 1605, Mr. 

 Raine's, without a card — a grand old winner looking well. 

 The birds in this Class were splendidly staged. 



Greenfinches, same number as last year. Some grand 

 birds in this Class, many of them great winners, were 

 left without a card. We made extra fourth easily first, 

 and it has often beaten the winner. 



Buntings. One of the best arrays of Buntings for quality 

 we have ever seen. Second, third, and fourth seemed 

 very level, and it was a mere lottery which was to be 

 first. 



Skylarks, only 7, against 19 last year, but it appeared 

 to us that if there had been 50 the first three in this Class 

 would have won — they were superb. 



Robins. A small Class of poor quality, l)utall seemed 

 very steady, and cheerful too, for most of them were 

 singing. 



Blackhirds. Some great winners met here for final 

 contest. We niiich preferred the second; 1679 surely 

 ought to have been higher up. 



Ihnishes were a very even lot of birds. Here, again, 

 were well known winners from all parts of the kingdom. 

 To us it seemed a very difficult matter for the judge to 

 give satisfaction to the exhibitors. 1688 was hardly done 

 by, and 1695 should be heard of again. 



Starlings are always a perfect conundrum to us as far 

 as judging goes. So far as the winner was concerned we 

 much preferred several of the cardless ones. Last year's 



