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accipitrinus), and a Lesser Vasa Parrot ( Coracopsis nigra). Two

Macaws were shown, a Hyacinthine ( Anodorhynchus hyacinihinus),

and a Red and Blue (Ara macao).


In the class for all species not included elsewhere, were a

few most interesting and rare specimens, the best of all being a

fine Regent-bird ( Sericulus melinus), in full colour. Some of us

saw this bird at Balham last November, but I doubt if the species

has before been exhibited at the Palace. A good Barbet was

also shown here, and a fine pair of Wood Swallows (. Artamus

sordidus).


Amongst the British birds I found nothing of exceptional

interest until I arrived at the “curiosity” class. Here I found

a truly remarkable bird—-a Bullfinch, described in the catalogue

as “ half cock and half hen,” and this description certainly

was not a bad one, for on one side it had the plumage of a cock,

and on the other that of a hen. I have never before heard of a

case of hermaphroditism in small birds, and I think this must be

a great rarity. Another interesting freak was an Albino Hedge

Accentor, and a beautiful Silver-grey variety of the Starling

was well worth notice.


In the class for insectivorous residents, were, amongst

others, two very healthy Tree-creepers, a good Nuthatch, an

unusually fine Stouechat and two Long-tailed Tits. There was

also a very fine specimen of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker.


In the Migratory Section, there were one or two very fine

Redwings, some good Nightingales, Blackcaps, Wrynecks and

Redstarts, not to mention several common species, and one bird

that should have been elsewhere, namely a Crested Titmouse.

This species is now very rare in the British Isles, being found

only in a few of the pine forests in Scotland, and, where it occurs,

it is a resident species. It is hardly likely^ that the specimen

exhibited at the Palace was a British example.


The last class I have to mention, was that composed of

Continental birds. This class is usually a most interesting one,

but, on this occasion it was very poorly filled. The most

interesting bird was a fine Hoopoe. A Blue Rock-thrush, a

Rose-coloured Starling, and an Ortolan, were the only other

birds shown in the class.



