i8 



and third with fine pairs of Cuba and the fast becoming 

 common Quail Finches ; these latter have quite the 

 appearance of a miniature Quail and but seldom perch. 

 Mr. Townseud's interesting and rare South African 

 Rock Bunting (^Fringillaria tahapisi) was second, and 

 Mrs. Cooper's Black - headed Siskin was fourth ; a 

 good pair of this interesting species was without a 

 card, the male was certainly not in full adult plum- 

 age, but both were sleek and tight in feathers ; the 

 female is very rare in this country, this being its 

 first public appearance, and was certainh^ the first 

 living specimen I had seen, she lacks the black head 

 and flights of the male. Also shown Red - crested 

 Cardinals, and a nice specimen of that old favourite 

 the Virginian Grosbeak. 



Tanagers, Sugar Birds, etc. : For gorgeous tropical 

 colouring this class always stands pre-eminent, and 

 Mr. Townseud's Yellow-winged Sugar Bird and well- 

 known Black-backed Tanager were first and second 

 respectively, in spite of the first named not being so 

 often seen as it ought to be, I should have reversed the 

 position of these birds, because it has appeared several 

 seasons on the Show Bench is no reason why the 

 exquisite Black-backed Tanager should have its rarity 

 and worth overlooked. (3) Mr. Dewhurst's rare Cuban 

 or Banana Tanager, rather rough but an interesting 

 and uncommon exhibit. (4) Mr. Harrison's Magpie 

 Tanager, looking as well as ever, and liardly treated; 

 this, though plainly clad for a Tanager in black and 

 white, must 3'et be classed among the ver}'' handsome 

 species of this gorgeous family ; the contrasts are so 

 chaste, its plumage so silken, and in a good light the 

 purplish sheen so brilliant as to make it a handsome 



