33



failed to hatch them. These are the Rufous-tailed Finches,

Gouldian-finches, and the Red-faced-finch mated with a Cock

Aurora finch. The Parrot-finches have made several nests, but

never laid an egg.


All the eggs laid by my birds, except those of the Cuba-

finch, have been white in colour.



BIRD NOTES AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION.


By Walter Goodfellow.


No doubt other aviculturists besides myself, who have

visited the Exhibition this year, have been equally disap¬

pointed that their especial hobby has no place allotted to it

among the exhibits, although everything else imaginable seems

to be well represented. I had expected to find exhibits in

aviaries and all appliances for the same ; but, although I have

paid innumerable visits to all parts of the Exhibition during the

past few months, I have failed to find any, although it is possible

that in some out-of-the-way corner such may exist.


One day recently I was tempted to visit the dreary Annex

of Vincennes, away on the other side of Paris, where unlimited

space is given up to all the exhibits which were crowded out of

the Exhibition proper, by reading in the papers that one of the

most interesting departments there was that devoted to “ Avicul¬

ture.” As not one out of every five hundred or more visitors to

Paris troubles to go there, or perhaps knows that such an Annex

exists, I thought I had a treat in store, and could perhaps find

something interesting to write about for the “Avicultural Magazine”

for the benefit of those who have not been able to visit the show.

I chose an unfortunate day, for by the time I arrived there the

rain came down in a deluge, and with no hopes of it clearing

up. Guided by numerous sign-posts at the corners of all the

paths, I picked my way through a sea of mud and water to the

fenced-in part given up to “ Aviculture.” On arriving there I

found it was another of the numerous “ extras ” of the

Exhibition, with a charge of 25 centimes entrance fee, which I

gladly paid if only to get under shelter until the rain ceased. I

see by the tickets that the price had originally been fixed at one

franc ; but like everything else connected with this gigantic

show and failure, all prices have had to come down to less than

the half at first conceived by those who expected to make a

fortune over it. On nearing my goal I was half prepared for a

disappointment by hearing much crowing, cackling, and quack-



