Canary Societies, and Close and Open Shows. 411 



Sometimes flowers, stuffed birds, evergreens, or music are 

 introduced as additional attractions, but these are merely 

 accessories, and may be adopted or rejected at the discretion 

 of the committee. It is sometimes considered desirable to 

 have a show opened by some person in a high social position, 

 and to charge an extra fee to witness the ceremony, but this 

 plan has never been attended with success within my know- 

 ledge. Exhibitors are in some cases admitted to the show at 

 any time, when open, on payment of sixpence. No birds can 

 be sold or removed without the authority of the secretary and 

 in conformity with the regulations. An account of all sales 

 should be kept. 



After the receipt of entries, if you find that the show is 

 badly supported, write a letter to each of the principal 

 exhibitors who have not already patronised your show, 

 pressing them to do so ; your appeal is sure to meet with 

 some responses. The Editors of Feathered World and Poultry 

 will, if the entries are deficient, willingly insert a paragraph 

 free of charge, stating that entries will be received until a 

 later date, if the secretary requests them to do so. 



Every night that the specimens are in the show room a 

 diligent search should be made to see that no cat, or person, 

 is concealed on the premises, prior to the lights being 

 extinguished, and the room secured for the night. Someone 

 should take charge during the night, unless a hall-keeper 

 resides in some part of the building, when it may be con- 

 sidered unnecessary. If you find it desirable during any 

 period of the exhibition to have a policeman in attendance, 

 you can get one by giving timely notice to the superin- 

 tendent of the town or district where the show is held. 



Be sure to see that the drinking tins are always returned 

 with the cages to which they belong; this is often neglected, 

 and causes annoyance and needless expense to exhibitors. 



Refreshments should be supplied to those people who are 

 engaged in any arduous duties, such as packing and unpacking 

 birds, arranging the tables or stands for the cages, and similar 

 duties. Members of the committee should each have a family 

 season ticket given to them, unless they wear favours in their 



