i8o Some Notes on the Crystal Palace Bird Show.


Cuba Finch (P. canora), and a pair of Passer hiteiis (the cock of

which died during the show) were the most interesting exhibits.

Two cock Black - headed Buntings ( Emberiza melanocephala)

were shown as a pair for the second time, and were again

awarded a card by the Judge* (see Vol. VIII. p. 93). Surely the

Judges at important shows like this ought to know the difference

between the sexes of this very well-known European bird.


The class for Tanagers, Sugar-birds, Honey - eaters,

Zosterops, and Bulbuls, was perhaps the most interesting in

the show. Mr. L. W. Hawkins sent a Purple Sun-bird ( Arach-

nechthra zeylonica) which the Judge considered should have

been in another class, which is surely going too far. I11 a

popular sense at any rate any member of the sub - family

Nectariniida: should be entitled to a place in this class. Here is

a case of the Judge being hypercritical, whereas in another class

we see the other Judge passing a pair of Swainson’s Lorikeets

in a class for the larger Parrots and Lories, when there was

clearly another class provided for them. The Purple Sun-bird is

an exceptionally difficult bird to keep in captivity, and all possible

credit should be given to the owner for exhibiting it in such

splendid condition. Mr. S. M. Townsend sent some rare and

beautiful Tanagers, the first prize going to a Tricolor ( Calliste

tricolor ), but I preferred his rarer Yellow Tanager (C. ftava).

Mr. J. A. Swan sent a fine specimen of the rare White - capped

Tanager ( Stephanophorus leucocephalus') from Argentina, and a

good Blue Sugar-bird (. Dacnis cayana). Mentioning the White-

capped Tanager reminds me that there is now, living in the

Zoological Gardens, a specimen of this species which has been

there for nearly twenty years. There were two good specimens

of Chloropsis hardwickii, and some of the commoner C. aurijrons.

There were two species of Zosterops , the common Z. simplex , and

a larger form which Mr. Fillmer tells me he believes is Z.

japonica: the latter seems to have been imported somewhat

freely of late.


The next class was devoted to all species that were not

eligible for the other classes, and here, as usual, were some



Not the same Judge as on the previous occasion.



