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This bird is of a peaceable disposition in the Aviary. Here it shows

to great advantage, being light and active in its movements, and running

nimblv on the ground. It is very fond of bathing, and is by no means very

susceptible to cold. Its diet consists mainly of canary-seed with a little

hemp; it usually helps itself from the bread and milk saucer every morning,

and it is verv fond of apple, though it does not care for banana or other soft

fruit. This species is said to be partly insectivorous when wild. It may be

so, (probably most birds are) but mine never touches any description of

animal food', though it has access to ants’-eggs and other “ soft ” diet. I

have never heard of the Manv-colonred Parrakeet breeding in confinement,

but it seems probable that it would do so, if a pair could be isolated in a

roomy Aviary.



RECENT BIRD SHOWS.


By Reginald Phipeipps.


Seeing that our members are scattered far and wide, and that many

of them, doubtless, have not visited the Kxhibitions of Birds, recently held

in London, it has occurred to me that a few words about some of the Foreign

and British Birds exhibited may not be out of place in our magazine. For

several reasons. I do not like Bird Shows ; but I do like to see birds when¬

ever I have an opportunity ; and visiting the .Shows occasionally helps one

to keep pace with the times as it were, and to get a little idea of what

foreign birds there are in the country.


I.


The London and Provincial Ornithological Society's Annual Exhibition, held

in the Aquarium, Westminster, on October 30, 31, and November 1, iSqq.


Concerning this Show, my remarks must, I fear, be rather sketchy,

for a fortnight has passed, and I must write mostly from memory.


I visited the Aquarium on the morning of the 2nd day, and found, as

one commonly does at Bird .Shows, that ihe light was very bad. Few

people were about, not even a catalogue vendor, so, avoiding a. little group

assembled around a loquacious Cockatoo, I watched for a brief space a

lively Nuthatch, who played bo-peep with me from behind a piece of cork-

bark, and I was not surprised to find that the judge had failed to notice ”

him. A splendid Missel Thrush, exhibited by Mr. Wilson, was worthy of

more than a passing glance: Missel Thrushes are remarkably nice birds

when properly treated ; and it is a wonder tome that they should so seldom

be seen in captivity. I could not but stop for a moment to renew my

acquaintance with Mr. Clayton’s well-known Cornish Chough, no longer a

chick by the way, which, as usual, was awarded a first. The sight of him

touched a sore spot in :ny heart, for he reminded me of my own dear old

“Corney,” with whom I was compelled to part—because he made a noise

forsooth, as a noisy neighbour informed me : he was just a little loquacious,

as he had every right to be ; but, alas ! although howling cats have rights,

sweet innocent Choughs have none. But a Cornish Chough,, to be known

and appreciated properly, must be kept in a garden, not in a cage. I was

soon brought to a stop by the sight of a couple of birds for which I have the

most affectionate regard, and which I have never before seen exhibited :

these were the Ornamented (not Ornamental, I think) Lorikeets, Trichoglossus

ornatus, exhibited by the energetic Hon. Secretary of the Cage Bird Club,

an Aviculturist, who, having found that all is not gold that glitters, has

burst the yellow fetters of canaryhood (forgive the word), and launched out

into the well-nigh boundless expanse of the Foreign Bird World. These

Lorikeets seemed in excellent health, and were awarded a first, although

not in the best of plumage; and small wonder that their feathers were a

little frayed, for when in health they are regular little sprites, perhaps

demons would be the better word, full to the bursting-point of life and

energy, and require a large place to be seen at their best. In a cage, their

beauty is undeveloped and their buffoonery suppressed. But the wire bars



