288 



Class So. Insectivorous, any variety. It is impossible 

 to meutiou this class without using superlatives. 

 Wonderful in quality and quantity, and undoubtedly^ the 

 best ever seen at any Show. Seven of the eight 

 specials offered were won by the birds comprised in it. 

 Mr. Hawkins signalised his entry into the Insectivorous 

 Classes by sweeping the board, showing birds as perfect 

 as they were rare. 



1st and vSpecial, 2nd and Special, 3rd and Special, 

 and extra 4th and Special, Mr. Hawkins. Purple Sun 

 Bird took the lead, simply perfect; Yellow-winged Sugar 

 Bird followed, in full colour : rarity alone could have 

 given the winner its position over this bird ; Silver-eared 

 Mesias, fine pair in splendid trim ; Blue-winged Sivas, 

 nearly perfect, but lost in condition. 4th and Special, 

 Mr. Russell Humphrys' Rufous-bellied Niltava Fly- 

 catcher, a beautiful creature, in splendid health and 

 verysteady. V.H.C. and Special, INIr. Swan's White-capped 

 Tanager, V.H.C, Mr. Townsend's Tri-coloured Tanager 

 and an unknown Tanager. H.C. and Special, Mr. Osbalde- 

 ston's Shama, nice bird, in splendid condition, and very 

 tame. H.C, Mr, Gilroy's Indian Mynah, 2nd in this 

 ^lass last year, outclassed this time. C and Special, Mr. 

 Townsend's Yellow- winged vSugar Bird in winter 

 plumage, but in good condition. Here we have au 

 interesting problem. Two Yellow- winged Sugar Birds 

 — one in full colour and one out of colour — both in 

 splendid feather. Yet the bird in colour gains a high 

 award, the one out of colour a low one. Should Judges 

 allow colour to influence them to such an extent } 

 •C, Mr. Townsend, another rare unknown little Tanager. 

 There were also another Indian Mynah and a Military 

 Starling in this class. They were both nice birds, but 

 the competition was too much for them. Hard lines ! 

 It is difficult to criticise the awards in such a class, but 

 we should certainly have placed the Niltava Flycatcher 

 first. This bird and Mr. Townsend's unknown V.H.C 

 Tanager were the two rarest in the vShow. The Abraham's 

 Trophy was awarded to the Blue-winged Sivas. We 



