much better hybrids of the Goldfinch-Bullfinch cross, and 

 possess a stuffed specimen of the Greenfinch.-Bullfincli 

 cross, said to be, by some of the best hyl)rid men in the 

 land, the largest and best finished specimen ever seen up 

 to date. 



The "A. O.V. hybrid, bred from two British birds," 

 class, brought together a few capital Goldfinch-Greenfinch 

 hybrids ; two or three decent Linnet-Greenfinch 

 hybrids, a very neat Siskin-Greenfinch, with a slight 

 defect, at the Show, to its tail ; and a hen Goldfinch- 

 Ivinnet hybrid. Where were the crosses between 

 Canary-Bullfinch, Redpoll-Bullfinch, Siskin-Bullfinch, 

 Twite-Bullfinch, Goldfinch-Redpoll, Greenfinch-Redpoll, 

 Twite-Greenfinch, Twite-Goldfinch, Twite-Siskin, Red- 

 poll-Siskin, etc. ? Stir up yourselves, you hybrid 

 breeders, and go in for winning those Medals offered b}' 

 our Club for the production of rare hybrids! With a 

 well thought out amended classification I don't see why 

 a large increase in entries should not obtain at future 

 Palace Shows. I hope to see it in the near future. 

 I should like to see the Medals of the N.B.B. & M.C. for 

 competition there also. C. HouiyroN. 



THE AMERICAN CAT-BIRD. 



This species {Galeoscoptes carolinensis) is a near relation 

 of the Mocking-bird. It is rather larger than a Blue 

 Robin, of a dingy slate-colour all over, except the under 

 tail-coverts which are rusty claret-colour. The sexes 

 seem to be alike in plumage but the cock is easily 

 distinguished by his song In spite of its very plain 

 plumage it is rather an attractive bird in captivity, being 

 tame, amusing, intelligent, a good songster, and easily 

 catered for. In addition to the usual insectivorous 

 mixture, it eats fruit eagerly, but does not greatly care 

 for mealworms. It appears to be much like our English 

 Blackcap in its diet, and is no doubt equally easy to keep 

 in health and condition. 



