i 28 Th }■ u s h -Blac k b ird II y b rids . 



Oxford, showed a supposed Blackljird-Thrush Hybrid at tht 

 Crystal Palace in P^briiary 1901. and was wrong- classed. I dr 

 not associate this bird in any way with the following, exhibited 

 same year. 



(4) Mr. C. Cooper of Brixton, exhibited at L.C.B.A. 

 Show, Royal Aquarium. 19th to 21st November. 1901, a Thrush 

 Blackbird Hybrid, and Mr. Cooper tells me the lower mandible 

 of this bird was yellowish, and. as 1 understand, a different 

 colour from the upper mandible. In connection wnth this 

 exhibit Mr. John Frostick, who has furnished me with the 

 above particulars from the L.C.B.A catalogue, adds that he 

 saw this bird and remembers it quite well. It was one of a 

 nest of four, all of which were advertised in Feathered World 

 as Thrush-Blackbird Hybrids by the man who reared them at 

 Peckham or Camberwell. Mr. Frostick went to see them 

 before Mr. Cooper saw and bought them, and he considered 

 them genuine, but would not like to say, after this lapse of time 

 if they were bred Thrush 6 and Blackbird 9 or I'ice versa. 



The birds were eventually sold through a dealer to a w^ell 

 known ornithologist. 



I have seen two Thrush-Blackbird or Blackbird-Thrush 

 skins in this ornithologist's collection, and if these represent the 

 birds above mentioned, which I believe they do, I would say 

 that in their case, the Blackbird was the male parent. 



From what I learn up to now, I understand that these 

 were wild birds reared from the nest, and that a Blackbird S was 

 seen at the nest at one time, and at another time a Thrush. 



(5) The Thrush-Blackbird Hybrids recently bred by Mr. 

 T. H. Anderson, of Darvel, previously fully reported on. 



One additional interesting fact comnumicated to me by 

 Mr. Anderson is, that -dl the cocks were very much alike, and 

 all the hens very much alike, although differing in appearance 

 one from the other. 



My enquiries have not extended beyond exhibits at 

 London shows, and it is probable there are other cases of the 

 cross having been exhibited at country shows. If, therefore, 

 anyone can add to the ?bove list, I shall be g'lad. 



