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hand, you may make the attempt and hope for success if you cross any

genus of Finches, excepting Fringilla , with the Grosbeaks. This law being

like that of the Medes and Persians, which may not be altered, no effort is

made to cross Fringilla with its allies, and the fact that hybrids are con¬

sequently not produced is regarded as proof that they cannot be.


A Greenfinch-Canary or Hawfinch-Canary Mule may be attempted;

though the Grosbeaks and Finches are far more distinct than one genus of

Finches from another. Greenfinch-Canaries are therefore produced, and

we hear of fertile Hawfinch-Canary eggs.


A second good point in Dr. Bradburn’s ledture is his recommendation

to breeders to select large Canary hens for Muling stock. This is very

sensible advice ; because it is well-known that bulk always tells on the

show-bench. Many a good bird, in perfect form and feather, is passed over

entirely, because it is not big enough ; or because a competitor, nearly as

good in other respects, is decidedly bigger. This rule (which greatly needs

revising) holds not with mules only, but with many of our wild birds.


Two or three years ago, I asked a Mule-breeder whether a Uinnet-

Canarv Mule which I had bred was worth showing : it was a neat and nicely

marked bird, and a really fine songster, but he assured me it would not even

get a commendation ; it was too small. Is it any wonder that a few days

later that bird committed suicide in his bath ? Doubtless he felt disgraced.


Another good caution is worth giving here. “ Don’t be led away by

silly advertisements and buy Muling hens at a high price, or you will be

grievously disappointed.” This is sound advice, not only for the reasons

given by the Doctor, but also for another reason : a breeder who possesses a

good muling hen is in no hurry to part with it unless it be pretty well

played out.


In spite of the recommendation, for it amounts practically to that, not

to attempt to cross soft-billed birds, or to go out of the beaten track in the

matter of Fringilla , there cannot be a question that Dr. Bradburn’s trust was

not misplaced, and that he has thrown out a few useful hints.


A. G. Buteer.



“A New Departure in Bazaars. —A Bird Show. . . . The

great feature of the bazaar was an exhibition of live foreign birds from a

private collection, which is one of the best in the United Kingdom, kept by

Mr. J. B. Housdeu, Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham. All the proceeds went

to the Bazaar Fund, which benefitted largely by the Show. On the first day

alone some 400 visitors paid to view the exhibits, which were in a large well-

lighted room. The room was tastefully decorated with flags and some very

fine paintings of birds, some large cases of bright plumaged birds, and a

fountain (with gold fish) throwing up its silvery sprays in the middle of the

room ; besides this, a large quantity of palms and flowering plants were

placed between the cages and in different parts of the room, forming quite a

tropical promenade: in fact, it was one of the prettiest sights we ever

remember seeing. The birds, some 400 in number, were contained in

about So cages and large aviaries, all labelled with the names, and the

names of the countries they inhabit.


In one aviary were seventeen Rosella Parrakeets in gorgeous plumage,

quite a living picture ; in another four Golden Pheasants not less beautiful ;

in several other aviaries, seven very beautiful Blue-bearded Jays from South

America ; twenty Weaver and Whydali birds in full plumage, some with very

long tails; Gouldian Finches; a fine collection of Foreign Pigeons and

Doves, some as large as domestic fowls, others not much larger than

Sparrows; Scarlet Tanagers, and other bright birds from South America.

A special attraction was a pair of Indian Racket-tailed Drongos, which are

extremely valuable birds; and last, but not least, were several Macaw's

on stands that guarded the entrance to the Show. Some of the peculiar

nests of the Weaver birds were also to be seen ”


[The above appeared a short time ago in a local Sydenham newspaper. We hear

that Mr. Housden's birds have since been to another Bazaar, and to a local Flower Show].



