33


ling (6th) did not appear to my eyes to be. Only six prizes were

given in class 90. Besides, First in a class of eight or nine

(classes 88, 91, and 93) shorild not be placed on a level with First

in a class of forty-four. Both in my notes and in my memory,

Mr. Taylor's White Linnet (H.C.) and Messrs. Kilbury's White

Siky Lark (V.H.C.) have become mixed. I think they ^were both

good birds in bad plumage.


In the A. O, V. class, I do not know if there has been a

mixing up of the names, the numbers, or of my brains, but the

Missel Thrush, which I took to be Mr. Wilson's (C), was far

superior to its neighbour (2nd), and should have been placed in

a much better position; but, perhaps, it was not "steady"

enough to please the judge ; some judges seem to prefer a steady,

lifeless bird to a lively, vigorous one. The Magpies and Jays

were scarcely up to the mark ; but the two Great Spotted Wood-

peckers were moderately good.


The only class that now remains for me to deal with, that for

"Any Variety of Rare Continental Bird," should have a place in

every large Exhibition, and I hope to see it at the Palace in the

future, although the word "rare" is quite out of place. In this

class there appeared two good specimens of my favourite Pied

Rockthrush, Mr. Fulljames' taking the first prize, Mr. Frostick's

the third. Two Blue-throated Warblers were announced in the

catalogue, and both " exhibits " seem to have been before the

judge, but no such bird was visible when I paid my first visit to

the show, i.e., on the Wednesday. These charming but delicate

pets are not fit for show life : why cannot exhibitors be satisfied

with the many robust species ! Cage 1209 had disappeared, but

eage 1208 had not. In it, however, instead of a Bluebreast, I

found a Blue Rockthrush (2nd), a good specimen ; but it is a far

easier species to keep in health than the Pied Rockthrush. Mr.

Lowne's Ortolan Bunting (4th) should have been placed in class

S7. Concerning the Eastern Nightingale, known in this country

by the rather misleading name of Greater Nightingale^ and in,

Germany by the handy name of Sprosser, it was some two or

three years ago that it was brought under my notice that a few

were being exhibited as British ; but I must add that, as I know

to my cost, not every bird that is sold as a Sprosser is a Sprosser.

I have such an one now, — as honest a Western Nightingale as

ever was hatched. Mr. Fulljames' bird was certainly a Sprosser,

but I am not so sure about No. 1212, not so sure by a long way

as I am of the bird in. class 90 which I have already referred to;

but the two species are difficult to distinguish in a bad light.



