The Crystal Palace Bird Show.



150



in hatching young with us, and the eggs have always been clear.

My view of this is that our climate does not suit them. I find

that, during our summer months, they are in very poor health,

and appear altogether out of sorts, and suffer much from the

heat. On the approach of Autumn they begin to pick up again,

and by December they are looking well ; they are most happy

when we get snow and frosts, and take a great delight in skipping

about on the ice and sleeping thereon while it lasts. They are

by far the most aquatic of all the family when it suits their

purpose ; they take the water like a duck, and if any young ducks

should happen to be on the pond they never rest until they are

all swallowed.


These Cranes are clever fishermen. I have seen them

stand in the water up to their feathers for an hour or more at a

time, in that well-known motionless attitude of the Common

Heron ; and, although they are not such experts as the Heron,

they rarely miss a chance if an eel or other small fish comes

within their reach. Should the first shot be missed, it is wonder¬

ful to see the lightning-like stabs with which they follow up the

chase in shallow water. When a fish is secured it is at once

brought ashore and receives heavy blows from their powerful

bill; when killed it is, if small enough, swallowed whole, other¬

wise it is broken up.


I am sorry to say that their temper is not a very sweet one,

the male in particular is prone to fight all other Cranes, and, with

his companion, generally comes off victorious.


I hope these notes will be of interest to the readers of our

magazine; although rather long I feel that a great deal more

could be said of this most interesting and fascinating family.



THE CRYSTAL PALACE BIRD SHOW.


I. BRITISH BIRDS.


By Allen Silver.


On the occasion of this annual exhibition of prize winning

specimens of native birds, a fine collection were on view. Finch¬

like birds were well to the fore, Bullfinch (males) numbering 38,

and the hens 17. Goldfinches and Greenfinches made an



