52



The second prize fell to a lien—a bird which- is very seldom exhibited. It

was a really splendid show of Cardinal Grosbeaks.


Class hi (Any kind of Foreign Finch or seed-eating bird not

mentioned in Schedule). This is always a large class and sadly wants sub¬

dividing — it is to be hoped that when the much-needed division is made it

will be based upon scientific principles. The most scientific and at the

same time the really simplest plan would be to abolish Classes 104 and 111

and substitute for them three other Classes, one for the Fringillidae (Gros¬

beaks, Finches and Buntings) single or pairs — one for the Ploceidse or

Ornamental Finches, single—and one for the Ploceidie or Ornamental

Finches, in pairs. The family Ploceidie of course includes Mannikins,

Waxbills, Weavers and Grass Finches, all of which groups merge into one

another. The attempt now made at the Palace to form a separate class for

Mannikins and Waxbills leads to great confusion, and endless disputes

as to whether a particular bird really belongs to either of those groups.

But to return to Class ill. Here were 30 exhibits (there were 37

entries) to share 5 prizes. It will be most convenient to take the birds in

catalogue order. Dr. Butler’s two entries were reversed so that the V.H.C.

intended for the Chingolo Song Sparrow appears by the catalogue to have

been awarded to the Yellow-shouldered Marsh Troupial, which really

received only H.C. The Rev. J. W. A. Mackenzie’s Dong-tailed Weaver,

which very properly received the first prize, was a fine specimen of a very

showy species—the bird and cage were cheap at the catalogue price of ^5 5s.

Mr. Babb exhibited two “pairs ” of what he called Orange Bishops — it was

singular that he should so describe them, for while both the hens were of

the Orange species the cock in each case was an Oryx Weaver — a com¬

paratively rare bird and much more valuable than the common Orange

Weaver. Both entries were, of course, disqualified. Mr. Babb also

exhibited a newly imported, immature, and shabby specimen of the rarely 7

imported Black-headed Siskin ( chrysomitris icterica), a really lovely 7 bird

when clean and in full plumage. Next came a Grey-necked Serin Finch

(serinus canicollis). Mr. Smart’s beautiful White-crested Finch ( donacola

pectoralis) took the third prize. Its owner is to be congratulated on the

possession of some very uncommon birds. Mr. Smart also showed two

cock Oryx Weavers — calling one of them a Grenadier Bishop and the other

a Crimson-headed Bishop, the first is the ordinary dealers’ name for the

species, but “crimson-headed” is more applicable to the Flammiceps

Weaver. Mrs. Hawkin’s Bicheno’s Finch, in perfect feather, received the

fourth prize. She also exhibited a rather poor pair of Parson Finches and

a single cock Combasou. Miss Hopwood’s Saffron Finches were in splendid

condition and I do not remember that I have ever seen better ones—they 7

really deserved more than an H.C., but had, I suppose, to make way for

rarer birds. Mr. Arthur’s Chingolo Song-sparrow r s took the second prize.

Mr. H. B. Smith showed a pretty little cock Cuba Finch and a single

specimen of the Bathilda ruficauda of which Mr. Smart exhibited a pair

among the Waxbills. Mr. Barnes’ Military Starling was of course in the

wrong class. Mr. Steele's Cuba Finches were not in the best of plumage;

he also exhibited a Nonpariel and a Saffron Finch. Mr. Swaysland showed

a pretty pair of Lined Finches and a pair of Cherry Finches. Messrs.

Kneen and Forsyth’s so-called Retykeever was the female of some species

of Cow-bird. Mr. Fnlljames exhibited a Flammiceps Weaver under the

name of “Oriole Weaver”—it was a rather poor specimen. The same

exhibitor’s so-called “Madagascar Weaver’’was a singularly fine Magpie

Mannikin or Pied Grass Finch. His Pin-tailed Whvdah, in full plumage,

obtained an extra fourth prize. His next entry was a Lined Finch. Mr.

Fulljames also shewed two specimens of the female of some species of

Spermophila Grosbeak, probably the White-throated Finch—as they were

exhibited together as a pair they were disqualified. He also exhibited a

Cherry Finch. It is a pity that so many birds should be entered under

incorrect names. Sometimes this arises from the exhibitor having sub¬

stituted one bird for another after he has sent in his entries, and in that case

it is excusable although tiresome. But now that the Avicultural Society,



