88


from Japan, and Mr. Swaysland's three exhibits, Chrysoniitris

tristis (the so-called American Goldfinch, in winter plumage) ;

Chysomitris iotta ; and what he calls the Yellow-headed Sparrow.

The giving of the third prize to a pair of Parson Finches, not in

the very best condition, and a mere V.H.C- to the American

Goldfinch, which was in perfecft feather, is the worst piece of

judging that has been seen at the Palace for some years. Judges

are human, and like other people they will make mistakes, so

that I am not disposed to be severe upon a judge for trifling

errors such as awarding a prize to a bird which has lost a claw,

or to two of the same sex of a species in which the sexes are

almost alike — but putting a pair of Parson Finches (worth about

lo/-) over the heads of a Mexican Siskin, a Citril Finch, and an

American Goldfinch (not to mention other birds in the class of

almost equal interest) was an error of a different kind, and shews

the judge to be wanting in the judicial faculty.


And in the Class for " Any species of Tanager or Bulbul "

the judging was nearly as bad. First, a splendid Blue-winged

Green Bulbul, very properly first so far as condition goes — but

how about rarity ? Second, a Malabar Green Bulbul, young,

and not quite in full plumage — the next exhibit was an adult

specimen of the same species, in better condition, but this got

only a V.H.C. Third, a magnificent Superb Tanager — a lovel)^

specimen, but it ought not to have been put over the heads of

the remaining prize-winners. Fourth, a hen Greenish Tanager.

Fifth, a Blue and Black Tanager. The class also contained a

most interesting pair of Black-crested Yellow Bulbuls, not in the

best condition perhaps, but unique on the Show bench ; a nice

White-eared Bulbul ; a Red-eared Bulbul, apparently a hen, and

scarcely deserving the card awarded to it ; a good pair of Violet

Tanagers ; several Scarlet and Superb Tanagers ; and two or three

rare Tanagers which I will not expose my ignorance of by

discussing. All the birds of any interest in this class belonged

either to Mr. Humphrys or to Mr. Maxwell.


"Any species of Crow, Ja}^, Magpie, Starling, or Mynah."

First, Occipital Blue Pie; second, L,ong-tailed Glossy Starling;

third, Andaman Starling; fourth. Blue-hooded Jay; fifth, Mala-

bar Starling. The class also contained a Black-throated

Grackle, which was first last 5^ear, a pair of Black-crested

Mynahs, a Pileated Jay, and several birds of less attradlive

species. The awarding of the second prize in such a class

to a rather poor I,ong-tailed Glossy Starling would be difficult

to defend.



