92



be instructive to compare their notes with those which I was

able to make on my birds.


I also reared a Moorhen in the same way.



THE CRYSTAL PALACE BIRD SHOW.



This exhibition was certainly not up to the average of Crystal

Palace Shows, and there were very few specimens of exceptional

rarity or interest.


In the British Section we were much struck by the Cinna¬

mon Thrush which obtained the first prize in the class for

“ Pied, Albino, or rare feathered specimens.”


Mr. Maxwell’s Golden-crested Wren, which was well

shown and rightly awarded a first prize in the “Resident”

class, testifies to that gentleman’s great skill in keeping the more

delicate British insectivorous species. It was in excellent form

and one of the most charming birds in the Show. The same

exhibitor sent a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, a species not often

placed on the show-bench. A very nice Long-tailed Titmouse

was also here, as well as a Green, and three Greater-spotted

Woodpeckers and several other interesting specimens.


In the class for Migratory Birds, the first prize was

awarded to a very fine Blue-lieaded Wagtail belonging to Mr.

Maxwell. A good Black Redstart was also well worth

inspection.


In the Foreign Class, amongst the Parrakeets the most

noteworthy exhibit was the female Golden-shoulder belonging to

Mr. L. W. Hawkins, and now so well-known at the leading

bird-shows : it was awarded a second prize. A good pair ofMany-

colours, owned by the same exhibitor, taking first. A moderate

Blue-bonnet, some Kings and Crimson Wings, a Port Lincoln

and several commoner species were also shown.


The Dove Class was better filled than usual, and con¬

tained some uncommon birds. A beautiful pair ot Wonga-

Wonga Pigeons, belonging to Mr. Housden, obtained the first

prize, and this gentleman also sent a fine pair of Nicobars. The

rarest birds in this class were, however, the White-crowned

Pigeons (Columba lencocephala) and White-winged Doves

( Melopclia leucoptera ) exhibited by Mr. W. PL Parker, but these

were not in show form, and the male White-crowned Pigeon had

lost half its right wing. An exhibit catalogued as “Madagascar

Doves” proved to be a pair of Senegal Turtles with an odd



