54



which I found was easily kept in health and plumage. It was a comical

but noisy pet; and its mode of retiring for the night, when in a large place,

was worth going many a mile to see. A good Purple-lieaded Glossy Starling

came second, and a neat Malabar, third. After Mr. Arthur’s Toucan came

a bird whose range all authorities, ancient and modern, are agreed

is confined to the North American Continent, and which is almost

universally known by the name of “ American Blue Jay.” This name is

suitable, and should be adhered to; that of “Brazilian Jay,” given in the

catalogue, is meaningless and misleading. It is a common anti hardy bird,

easily kept in health and plumage ; and its appearance at the head of the

class last year, in good company, was not satisfactory. This specimen was

a good bird ; and although the ends of the longer tail feathers were rubbed

off, owing to its perch not having been placed high enough, it is quite

welcome to the fifth place assigned to it this year. Among the other birds

were a hen Sham a, much the -vorse for an over-dose of mealworms (for the

rarity of the female Sliaina in this country, many ridiculous reasons are

given); a good Alpine Chough, presented with an extra third prize; and a

capital Black-backed Piping Crow, which received V.H.C. The plumage of

this bird was very much in advance of the i year and 6 months given to it

in the catalogue ; its piping was rather erratic, but attracted the admiring

attention of several visitors. There was also a good Green Glossy Starling;

a rather good Pong-tailed Glossy Starling, which was dragging about a tail

feather broken by the shallow show-cage ; a good Mocking Bird; and the

somewhat rare Black-headed Mynah, all fully entitled to the V.H.C. which

had been granted to them. For a wonder, not a single Hill Mynah, of any

varietv, graced the Show; some Common Mynahs, making but poor

substitutes.


The next class was a failure, consisting of two pairs of Peached-faced

Love Birds, and a wrong classed Budgerigar. Why will people call the

latter Love Birds, and thus mislead the weaker brethren ? The Love Birds

were awarded first and second, and rightly so if the wings of the winning

pair were all sound ; one wing was not full; but doubtless it was examined,

and found to be not fully grown (primaries) after moult. The class for

Budgerigars contained some nicely-marked birds, and some indifferent

ones, 19 pairs altogether, Mr. Guy’s standing first. There were six cages

in the Rosella class, Mr. Housden taking the first prize with a good pair,

the only two Mealy Rosellas taking second and V.H.C.


In the class for Kings or Crimson Wings, there appeared one of the

gems of the Show, which we duly admired, although placed in the wrong

class and duly sat upon bv the judge. It was a Pileated Parrakeet

(Prophvrocephalus spurius, but more commonly Platycercus pileatus ), a bird I

have 011I3 7 once before seen. Years ago, before I went in for Parrakeets, I

obtained one from Dr. Greene, but did not appreciate it, and after a time

exchanged it for some birds which were not equal in value to one of its tail

feathers : since those da}^s, how often have I looked back upon my folly with

tears and bitter lamentations. It was the old, old story of failing to value

one’s blessings until one has lost them. The first prize was awarded to

Mr. Dutton’s Kings. The fourth prize fell to Mr. Smith’s Crimson Wings.


In the class for Ring-necked Parrakeets, Mr. Jordan took the first

with a good Alexandrine, Mr. Housden the second with a nice pair of

Blossom-heads. The poor hen seemed to feel her situation acutely,

as much as would a respectable lady if brought up before a magis¬

trate ; I could not help comparing her with my own hen, who is

comfortably nesting. Another Blossom-head, two Javans, some Ring-

necks, and a hen Alexandrine complete the list of those present. The

Lories and Lorikeets made a poor show this year, a Ceram or Chattering

Lory coming first, the word “second” appearing in the catalogue against

entry 1930; but the cage was absent — the frost again, I fear. Two

Swainson’s Lorikeets made up the number of those present on Monday to

three.


In the class for any other varietj^ of Parrakeets (single), 13 appeared ;

but one of them should have been elsewhere. Some of these mistakes



