THE PALACE SHOW.


CASSIDIX ORYZIVORA.


Sir, — I would suggest that iu future a little more supervision be

exercised in the printing of the Palace Catalogues ; I may possibly have

been an unfortunate exception, but two gross errors appeared in my entries.

One entry came out of the printer's hands as a Racquet-tailed Drowgo, and

what should have been Cassidix oryzivora was transformed into oryzivoid !

From a letter I received immediatel}' preceding the Show, I gathered

that special arrangements had been made with a view to assisting the

reporters to present a fairly intelligent account of the exhibition to the

public : one cannot reasonably expect them to do otherwise than accept

the catalogue as correct, but surely those who are deputed to take the

reporters round should not knowingly perpetuate such palpable printer's

errors.


With regard to the example of Cassidix oryzivora sent to the Palace, I

am inclined to agree with Mr. Phillipps that it is an immature male, but

cannot explain the curious ill-defined ring of white round the eye. In the

examples of this bird at South Kensington, the white feathers are entirely

wanting. Mr. Dresser, who saw this bird some few weeks before the Show,

took them to be either a mark of immaturity or the result of climatic

influence.


At home in his own cage, this bird is very quaint — he has the curious

habit, mentioned by Mr. Phillipps, of blowing his feathers out in a most

ridiculous manner, usuall}' at feeding time. He is very peaceful towards

other birds, having occupied an outdoor aviary all last summer with a

collection numbering over thirt\% all smaller than himself, among them

being several tiny Tanagers. In the autumn, when the birds were removed

to their winter quarters, he was left to share the place with some game

Bantams, and during the cold, weather he always went to roost with a

Bantam tucked snugly each side of him.


He will eat almost anj'thing, but has a great partiality for hemp seed

and mealworms.


These birds inhabit Central and South America from Southern

Mexico to Peru and Paraguay.


RUSSEI^I. HUMPHRYS.



