winner, if we remember rightly, was perfectly covered 

 with spots, this year's winner was very bare indeed — a 

 bone of contention when we reach the standard of the 

 Starling. 



Afao-fie, YacMnrv, Yay or Choiigh (cancelled). A 

 British bird show withont any of the above seems to ns 

 ont of order, they are such well known public favorites. 

 We w^ould sooner look at a dozen of these birds than 

 have to scan the long row of Linnets and other dull 

 coloured (but not less favourite) birds. We think that 

 at a place like the Crvstal Palace the authorities should 

 insist upon certain Classes being given, which always 

 prove of special interest to the general (non-fancying) 

 public. 



The Pied and Albino Class is always an interesting 

 one. We missed last year's winning curiosit)', the half 

 hen and half cock Bullfinch. The winner this year was 

 one of the most perfect specimens of a Cinnamon 

 Thrush that it has ever been our lot to look upon — a 

 perfect gem. Second, was a IVTissel -thrush, and not a 

 Fieldfare as stated in the Catalogue, as its well known 

 and harsh call clearly indicated to us while writing our 

 notes. Third, a very ordinary black Bullfinch, should 

 have been given to a very pretty exhibit — l\Tr. IVIay's 

 1715, a Pied Robin, very steady and looking well. 



Class 105. Here were Missel-thrushes, Green Wood- 

 peckers, Wrens, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Blue 

 Tits, etc., — a most uncanny mixture, and most dis- 

 couraging to exhibitors. Another year a good Class 

 should be made up of Missel-thrushes alone, if due notice 

 be given. We could not make out the third prize being 

 given to a Crossbill right out of color, though steady, 

 and only a commended card to a very rare and perfect 

 specimen of a Lesser vSpotted Woodpecker— small en- 

 couragement here to attempt the keeping of the rarer 

 species. Classes for some of the rarer birds should stand, 

 at the expense of the Goldfinches, Linnets, etc. if 

 necessary. 



Class io5. A very pretty Class, the awards giving 



