British Birds.



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exceptional sliow, the former numbering 41 and the latter 24.

Linnets were short in number and the quality below the average,

only 18 birds competing. Chaffinches were good, twenty-three

excellent birds toeing the line. Mealy and Lesser Redpolls

competed together, a large number of the former being shewn

owing to the “ glut” of specimens that have been obtainable this

season. There were thirty birds in the class, cage-moulted

“ Lessers ” deservedly taking premier honors, the “Mealy”

examples not having experienced a moult in captivity.


Fourteen Twites made a pretty show and the eighteen

Siskins were an attractive feature. Bramblefinches were shorter

in numbers than usual, but the regular spangling fine polish and

immaculate condition of the leading bird was alone worth a visit.

Hawfinches of varying merit made up a fine class of seventeen,

and eighteen Yellow Buntings formed a strong class. The class

for any other species of Bunting contained six Corn Buntings,

one Cirl Bunting, one Lapland Bunting, four Snow Buntings,

three Reed Buntings, one Meadow Bunting and one Black¬

headed Bunting. The class for Hen Finches and Buntings

numbered fifteen ; Hawfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Twites,

Linnets, Siskins, Redpolls and Buntings, etc., of the gentler sex

competing for places.


The Pied, Albino and Rare Feathered Section contained

birds of considerable interest. Among these we notice a “ silver ”

Starling, a greyish white bird showing distinctly defined light

silver spangles ; a white Thrush, three white and two prettily

pied Blackbirds, two white Goldfinches, a pied Sparrow, a pied

Linnet, an exceptionally brilliant Redpoll with two large white

areas on cheeks, a black Hawfinch, two black Bullfinches, a

cinnamon Lark, a cinnamon Chaffinch, a cinnamon Sparrow and

two cinnamon Greenfinches. The exhibition alive, tame and in

perfect condition of such freaks of nature are of great interest,

much more so than the preservation of them in cabinets. The

institution of such class at shows has saved from the gun many

a curious example of a native bird.


The Insectivorous and Soft Feeding Birds attracted many

visitors. Blackbirds numbered 9, Thrushes 14, Starlings 9, and

the class for Nightingales and Blackcap Warblers numbering



