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I cannot regard the bird as very abnormal, for it is evident that a

third specimen exists in England having a similar appearance. The owner

of this third specimen brought over his bird from Madeira, and had no

idea of its name and species. In October of this year he was at the Crystal

Palace, and, seeing my specimen there, recognized it as the same species as

his own. He then wrote to me as follows : — "I should be much obliged

if you can tell me the name of the bird exhibited by you in Class 118 at the

Crystal Palace Show last Tuesday. The Number of the bird was 3, audit

was named Red-faced, hen. Is it a Waxbill, Mannikin, or Combassou, and

are they rare birds ? What part of the world do they come from, and are

the}' quite hardy ? I should like to know what price you are asking, if you

wish to sell the bird. I have had a male bird of the same kind for some

time, which I got out in Madeira, but they gave him a Portuguese name, and

I have never been able to find another like him until I saw your hen the

other day. The one I have is the only one I was able to procure when in

Madeira. He is a very friendly little bird, very tame, and a great favourite.”


I endeavoured to purchase this gentleman’s specimen, but he would

not be pursuaded to part with it. L. W. Hawkins.



