90


Considering Mr. Abrahams' thorough knowledge and

unequalled experience it is strange that his judging should not

have been a greater success — it seems to shew that, besides

knowledge and experience, an indefinable "judicial instinct" is

required to make a good judge.



NOTES ON THE CLASSES OF THE PSITTACID/C

AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW.


By O. K. CresswelIv.


I will preface these notes with the remark that I do not

write as a real authority on Parrots. It had been hoped that Mr.

Button would be present at the show, and would criticize the

Parrot Classes ; he was prevented from coming, and I only

undertook to supply these notes that our Secretary might be

relieved from embarrassment in the matter.


To myself, and I should think to many more, these classes

were a veritable treat — two of them at least were super-excellent,

and the majority very good ; there were some failures, which

may suggest different classification for next year.


In the class for " Lovebirds or Pigmy Parrots " the

entries were ten in number. The first prize went to a lovely

pair of Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots belonging to Mr.

C. T. Maxwell ; oddly enough, though I watched them on two

days, I never saw them hanging. Second went to Mr. Storey's

large and handsome pair of Peach-faced Lovebirds; and. third

to Mr. H. B. Smith's single Ceylonese Hanging Parrot with

golden crown (Loriculus indicus, I believe) ; why no notice

should have been taken by the judge of Mr. Fulljames' beautiful

pair of this same species, I could not understand. Fourth prize

was awarded to a pair of Peach-faced Lovebirds (Mr. Fulljames')'

in singularly good condition. Fourteen pairs of Budgerigars

were entered. Mr. Arthur's first-prize pair were unusually large

and in beautiful condition ; Mr. Cushny's second verj^ good ; Mr.

Maxwell's third prize pair were Yellow. I cannot pretend to-

admire this strange variation of colour.


The Class for Rosellas was a failure, the entries being only

three. The reason for this may probably be a good one, viz.,

that Rosellas are more and more kept in aviaries, whence their

owners do not care to catch them up. Could they not be classed

with Pennants or other Platycerci ? The first prize was with-

held ; second went to Mr. C. Martin's fine Mealy ; third to Mr.



