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I strongly object to withholding prizes in any section unless there is

insufficient merit, and that, I maintain should be left entirely to the

discretion of the judge; but there are authorities overruling judges at

most shows, consequently prizes have to be awarded according to orders

given. This is a means of cutting expenses down closely.


It certainly appears unfair to an Exhibitor when a premier honour

is withheld in a class containing two exceptionally rare and beautiful

specimens, both being of nearly equal merit. There is no alternative even

then but to follow instructions. A difficulty at most Shows, even under

good management, is the exceptionally heavy expenses, and Committees

have as much as they can do to meet their liabilities.


In going back to the Palace Show of 188S, I remember one class

contained 25 Parrakeets, a grand lot worth going a long distance to see; nine

entries in African Grey Parrots, another display not met with now. Amazons

and other large Parrots also showed up well ; Cockatoos were not forgotten

being well represented in the two classes in ’87 numbering 21, which

included some magnificent specimens, such as the great Salmon-crested,

Blue-e} 7 ed, Goffin’s, Red-vented, etc.


I sincerely hope the Palace Show may retain the excellent reputation

it has held for so many years, and not pass into oblivion ; as all interested

in aviculture derive much pleasure and profit when visiting the great

National Exhibition of the year. H. T. T. Camps.



THE RED-FACED FINCH.


Sir, —The white feathers acquired by Mr. Hawkins’ bird are, I think,

a mere “ sport,” and do not indicate any specific or sub-specific difference

from the normal type. Birds of the genus Pytelia seem very liable to this

partial albinism, but it is also seen in many other species, especially the

Avadavat and the Cordon bleu. In most cases it is no doubt due to age,

but I question whether age is always the cause. It appears to be analogous

to grey hairs in man. Horatio R. Firtm^R.



THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTINGS AT THE ZOO.


Sir. —In his notes on the additions to the Zoological Society’s

Gardens for January, Mr. Bonhote omits to comment upon the most

interesting and unusual event of the breeding in the Western Aviary of

Black-headed Buntings (Emberiza melanocephala) during that bleak mouth.

The keeper there informs me that he had no idea that this pair were

nesting, until one day (about Jan. 15th) he discovered one of them feeding a

full-fledged youngster, which chirped like a young Sparrow and in colour

resembled the hen Bunting. The nest w r as found amongst the ivy, in the

outer part, built upon the remains of a Song-Thrushes’ nest of last year.

When discovered it was quite empty, and probably all the eggs but one

had been eaten by other birds.


The only food that was supplied to the birds in this aviary consisted

of the ordinary seeds and a small quantity of the usual soft-food mixture.


It is somewhat remarkable that a partially insectivorous species

which, in a wild state, inhabits Southern Europe in Summer and India in

Winter; and which is said to feed its young entirely upon insects, should



