198 Correspondence 



Corr espondence. 



15REF.D1NG SONC'. THRUSH x RLACKIHRD HYBRIDS. 



Sir. — fn reply lo the eminiiv in the August issue of I'lUD Notes 

 signed V.. i iopkinson, I have pleasure in forwarding the first account of 

 breeding liv1)rids lietwcen the Song Tin-ush and Blackbird. The account is 

 from Civ^c Hirds June 12th 1915, and is by the l)rceder, Mr. T. H. Anderson, 

 Darvel, .\yr. Tlie male parent of tiie hylirids was a Song Tiirusli, and tlie 

 female a Blackbird. 



Later in the year, Mr. Ander.^in sent one of these hybrids to the 

 offices of Coi^c Birds for examination with the view of its being granted the 

 medal offered l)v that journal for the breeding ot rare hybrids. After careful 

 examination, it was decided that the bird was bred as claimed, and the medal 

 was awarded. 



In due course one of these hybrids was exhibited in hybrid classes at 

 various shows, and it was awarded prizes liy some judges and disqualified 

 by others as not being a genuine hxbrid. Then, at the joint show held in 

 the Autumn of 1915 at the Holborn Hall, Mr. Anderson exhibited, under Mr. 

 John Robson of London as judge, all three of these hybrids, but the judge 

 refused to accept them and gave his opinion that they were nothing else but 

 slightly melanistic Thrushes. 



In the next season, igi6, Mr. Anderson again succeeded in breeding 

 voung from the same two birds, and this time the young birds showed more 

 of the Blackliird side of their parentage. He sent one of these hybrids to a 

 meetiu'^i^ of the British B)ird and Mule 'Club Committee and claimed the 

 Gold Medal of the Society. The Blackbird parentage of this bird was shewn 

 so distinctly that the medal was awarded. 



Subsequently, after having been exhibited at a show, the bird died on 

 the way home. The body was sent to the Offices of Cage Birds, and by us 

 was forwarded, on behalf of Mr. (i. Cralib, the President of the London and 

 Provincial ().S.. to the Taxidermist with ;i view to its being set up as a 

 specimen and added to the Society's collection of stuffed specimens. 



As will be seen in the account enclosed, taken from Cage Birds March 

 loth, 1917, this preserved specimen was sent to a scientific meeting of the 

 Zoological Society and was accejjted by them as being a true hybrid. 

 .Another one from the same nest was purchased by Lord Rothschild and 

 deposited at the London Zoo, auvl this is the bird mentioned by vour 

 correspondent. 



Considerable discussion took place in the columns of Cage Birds and 

 elsewhere as to the authenticity of the [jarcntage of the hybrids of 1915, and 

 throughout that discussion we upheld our decision that the hybrids were as 

 represented. It was of course a matter of sincere gratification to us when 

 Mr. Anderson was able lo repeat his success and to breed young birds about 

 the parentage of which there could be no possible doubt. 

 HENRY J. FULLJAMES. 



Editor, Cage Birds. 



