315 



have used a great deal of Condy's fluid, and now the 

 disease appears to have exhausted itself, but I have lost 

 many valuable birds which I cannot easily replace. 



GlUI^IA TOMMASr. 



[I shall be pleased to forward the Programme of the 

 Florence Avicultural Exliil)ition to any member who 

 would like to see it. It is, of course, printed in Italian. 

 Nine years ago I had a very similar experience with bird 

 fever. All my Canaries died off like flies, and about a 

 dozen foreign birds succumbed also. — H. R. F.] 



JUDGING BRITIvSH BIRDS. 



Sir, — Will 5'ou oblige by inserting this in '• Bird 

 Notes," and thereby draw the attention of exhibitors to 

 the wrong done to them by certain Judges — at least it is 

 what I consider a grievous wrong. 



It is the Any Variety Class to which I refer, I have 

 noticed that several Judges, when they arrange the birds 

 on tlie judging table, put the species together and 

 select the best of each. Then they place (say) a Yellow- 

 hammer first. Hawfinch second, Bramblefinch third, and 

 so on nntilall the species have had their turn. Whereas, 

 perhaps, one of the Yellowhammers is worth nearly all 

 the rest of the class put together, yet it has to wait till 

 all the other species have been served and then be 

 content with a Commended ticket — when it really ought 

 to have been second. It is not the amateur Judges who 

 do this — it is men who are reckoned to be authorities on 

 British birds. 



I also think the Club's Medal ought to be for the ]:)est 

 bird, and not for most points as at present. It is 

 generally the exhibitor with the longest purse and most 

 time that gains these prizes. These exhibitors are 

 welcomed by vShow Committees— then let them supply 

 the points vSpecials. " Hardbii,!,." 



vSHOW CLASvSIFICATIONS FOR FOREIGN BIRDvS. 



Sir, — As you ask for suggestions re Classifications, I 



propose that the Class for "All species of Parrakeets, 



