Class 117. — Weavers and Whydahs.

Messrs. Fulljames and Maxwell took four of tlie five prizes,

the first and third being given to Crimson-throated Whydahs,

the second to Mr. Smith's Orj^x (still nearly in full breeding

plumage), whilst the fifth prize was given to a common, cheap,

though not frequently imported bird — the Half-masked Weaver.


Class 118. — Waxbii,i.s.

I fail to understand why exhibitors enter Bicheno's Finches

in this Class, since they undoubtedly stand between Zebra and

Cherry Finches, having the call-note of the former with a vague

approach in coloration to the latter: they certainly are not Wax-

bills (a) ; those exhibited were apparently two cock birds. The

first prize was properly awarded to Mr. Maxwell's splendid pair

of Violet-eared Waxbills, the second to his Rufous-tailed Grass-

finches, the third to his Crimson-finches, all of these being in

very good condition.


Class 119. — Mannikins.


Mr. Maxwell's Pectoral-finch (entered as a pair) took the

first prize and Mr. Fulljames' pair stood second : his Magpie

Mannikins did not look to me like a pair, and Mr. Abrahams

probably disqualified them for that reason.


Class 122. — CARDINAI.S.


Mr. Davis' Thick- billed Cardinal was hardly in show

condition, therefore only got a card, Miss A. P. Jackson taking

first prize with a good male Green. Mr. C. Verrall's Pope

took second, Mrs. Frostick's Virginian third, Mr. Verrall's male

Green fourth.


Class 123. — Mixed Finches.


This Class is a curious jumble of Fringilline ■d.w^ Ploceine

birds, and I must confess that I cannot follow the judging : I

should have given Mr. Maxwell's pair of lyong-tailed Grass-

finches first and Mr. Russell Humphrys' Trumpeter Bullfinches

second, but in other points I should not have done as our

experienced judge did : my idea is that Mr. Maxwell's Mexican

Siskin merited a third, Mr. Housden's Red-headed Finch a

fourth, and Mr. Swaysland's Yellow-headed Sparrows at least a

fifth : I do not understand common birds like Parson- finches

(though they were not a bad^pair) taking a prize at all ; but it is

evident that, in nearly all cases, plumage was considered before

rarity.


(«) The Zoological Society are answerable for this, for they call the bird Esireldii

bt'chetiovii. — Ed.



