3*



The Dove class was very poorly filled, a pair of Nicobars,

and a solitary “ Peaceful ” Dove being the only occupants.


Amongst the Parrakeets there were several exceedingly

good birds. Mr. Doherty shewed a good pair of Kings and a

fine Crimson-wing. The gem of the collection was, however,

Mr. Fulljames’ hen Polytelis alexandrce, and she seemed to be in

excellent health ; but one has seen her before, and personally, I

was most interested in a lovely pair of Platycercus browni, which

were also shewn by Mr. Fulljames. I don’t remember ever

to have seen Brown’s Parrakeet before, and it is undoubtedly

extremely rare in this country, if in fact it has ever before been

seen here alive. According to Gould, Brown’s Parrakeet is

found in abundance in the north of Australia, so that there

should not be any trouble about importing it. I was much

pleased with Mr. Maxwell’s Golden-shouldered (Psephotus

chrysopterygius), she is a charming little thing, and it is a great

pity that this species is so very rare that a mate cannot be

obtained for her. A pair of Blue-bonnets were also worthy of

notice.


The only Dorikeets shewn were a Forsten’s and a Scaly-

breasted. The most interesting of the true Parrots were a Hawk¬

headed, a Bronze-winged, and a Meyer’s ; the latter species being

to my mind the most delightful of all parrots.


Mr. Fulljames shewed a Hyacinthine Macaw, a rare, but

in my opinion, most undesirable species. I much preferred the

same gentleman’s fine pair of Ganga Cockatoos.


A very interesting class was that reserved for all species of

foreign birds not included elsewhere. Mr. Fulljames shewed

a Regent-bird, a species that has probably never before been

seen upon the Show-bench. A pair of Wood-swallows, which I

am told were the same that appeared at the Palace last February,

looked remarkably well. One would expect these birds to be

difficult to keep, but Mr. Fulljames informs me that they are

comparatively easy subjects to deal with. At night they hang,

head downwards, from the roof of their cage, like the Hanging

Parrots and Bats. A good Satin Bower-bird, in the female or

immature male plumage, and a Warty-faced Honey-eater were

also exhibited by Mr. Fulljames. Mrs. Frostick shewed a good

pair of Australian Bell-birds and a Malaccan Dhyal-bird ; and

I may, perhaps, mention my own exhibit in this class, an

Australian Sacred Kingfisher ( d ).


(d) On account of an unfortunate printer’s error, which appeared on the Show labels,

and which directed that exhibits were to be at the Show by 9 p.m. on Nov. 7th, (whereas

they should have arrived the previous evening-) the Sacred Kingfisher did not arrive at the

Show until after the judging was over and the Judges had left.—D. S-S.



