The Crystal Palace Bird Shozv.



156



The class or classes at the end of the list, in which are

placed birds belonging to species not comprised elsewhere, are

always particularly interesting, and, as a rule, contain the rarest

exhibits in the show. In this show there were two classes for

such, the first for birds smaller, and the second for those larger

than a King Bird of Paradise.


In the former of these two classes a Levaillant’s Barbet

was shown, but being larger than a King Bird of Paradise had to

be wrong-classed. It was one of the rarest birds in the show ;

this specimen and the one at the Zoological Gardens being

probably the only examples of this species ever imported.


The first prize in the class went to an Indian Great-billed

Flycatcher shown by Mr. Maxwell, a rare and pretty bird, well

shown. A White-eyebrowed Wood Swallow, belonging to Mr.

Walsh, came second, and a rare Mexican Hangnest, belonging to

Mr. O’Neill, third, while Mr. Walsh’s fine pair of Black-headed

Sibias came fourth.


Besides the prize-winners there was a nice Blue-winged

Siva (Mr. Maxwell), a Black-throated Hangnest (Mr. Townsend),

and several birds of less importance.


The class for birds larger than a King Bird of Paradise

contained perhaps the best bird in the whole collection, namely,

a fine Cock-of-the-Rock. This was one of those collected by Mr.

Frost for Sir William Ingram. With others, it was deposited for

a time at the Zoological Gardens, where its companions remain.

It passed into the hands of AI. Pauwels, who exhibited it in

faultless condition and, thanks to the art of colour-feeding, in its

natural deep orange hue. Of course it took the first prize as well

as several specials, and well it deserved all it got. The second

prize-winner was a good Ariel Toucan belonging to Mr. S.

Watson, while Mr. Maxwell took third with a nice Crested Wood

Partridge, and Mr. Cusliny fourth with a Purple Glossy Starling,

the latter exhibitor showing besides an Indian Pitta.



