155



Foreign Birds.



prize went to a very fine Melba Finch sent by Mr. F\ Howe,

while M. Pauwels secured second place with a pair of Painted

Finches ('Etnblema piclai), the third prize going to a very fine

Red-lieaded Gouldian Finch belonging to Mr. Maxwell, while a

fourth was awarded to Mr. H. Botting for a nice pair of the

uncommon Rufous-backed Mannikins. A fine cock Violet-eared

Waxbill was sent by Mr. J. M. Walsh. One of the most interest¬

ing birds in this class was the Red-rumped Weaver (Dinemellia

dinemelli) shown by Mr. Maxwell which failed to secure a prize,

though its rarity should, in my opinion, have stood for a good

deal. I saw several of these in Germany lately, but Mr. Maxwell’s

bird is almost unique here.


The class for Grosbeaks, true Finches and Buntings con¬

tained a pair of Blue Grosbeaks and three Nonpareil Buntings

only.


The Tanager class is always an interesting and showy one,

and was no exception to the rule on this occasion.


The rarest exhibit was, undoubtedly, the cock Pretre’s

Tanager shown by Mr. Maxwell, which took fourth prize. The

same exhibitor showing also a fine Black-backed and a Rufous-

throated Tanager. The first prize went to an All-green or Neck-

laced Tanager shown by Messrs. Pitchford and Stocker. Mr.

Walsh sent a good Maroon and a Black, while Mr. S. Beaty

showed a Tricolor and a Black-backed, and Mr. R. J. Watts a

Rufous-tliroated.


The class for Sugar-birds, Honey-eaters, Bulbuls and Sun-

birds was headed by a most perfect male specimen of a Purple

Sunbird, which reflected the greatest credit upon Mr. Maxwell,

its owner. It was perfectly steady and sang merrily during the

show. Needless to say that, besides the first prize, it carried off

several specials.


Second came a Banana Quit, belonging to Mr. Townsend,

the only one in the show (there were four at the Horticultural

Hall Show). Third, a Purple Sugar-bird (Mr. Arthur Morris),

and, fourth, a most perfect Yellow-winged Sugar-bird belonging

to Mr. Townsend. There are few birds more exquisitely beautiful

than this. Mr. Maxwell sent, beside the Sunbird, a Purple and a

Black-headed Sugar-bird.



