20 



Western Aviary al. the Zoo., that simply crawls over 

 you when in his enclosure: most of the Hang-nests 

 readily become tame when treated individually. A 

 couple of Melanistic Pekin Robins completes an in- 

 teresting class. 



The last Class was for Foreign Hybrids which 

 only drew an entry of seven. Mr. Hawkins's lovely 

 Red-mantled Parrakeet (Pennant x Rosella), of 

 special interest, being a wild caught hybrid ; its 

 colours were very rich and pure, and must be num- 

 bered as one of the handsomest birds in the Show. 

 The same gentleman's Bicheno x Zebra Finch (v.li.c.) 

 was a trim and pretty little bird with the plumage of 

 both parents well defined. Mr. Seth-Smith's plainly 

 clad and wild, but interesting, Song Sparrow Hybrids 

 (Z. leacophrys x pileata) were very like female Bramble- 

 finches in appearance. The same owner's handsome 

 Long-tailed x Masked Grassfinch was h.c, again 

 both parents were pretty equally brought out. Mrs. 

 Cooper's well known Red Rump x Rosella was third, 

 and her Alario x — ? was fourth ; this latter was evi- 

 dently an Alario x Canar}^ and though a well con- 

 ditioned bird should have been w.c. Also shown a 

 reputed Zebra Finch x Indian Silverbill, but which 

 was merely a male Combassou. 



At the Show one heard disparaging comparisons 

 between the Foreign Bird Section and Canary Sec- 

 tions, etc. It must be noted that the F. B. Section at 

 the Palace by no means represents the interest taken in 

 foreign bird keeping. The growing and commend- 

 able custom of keeping foreign birds in large aviaries* 



• The very probable true reason is that rarieties are better catered for than 

 the commoner varieties which are owned by the greatest number of 

 bird-lovers.— H. G. 



