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lighted and heated, I tremble to think. By day, certainly one

half of the exhibits are more or less invisible. Each row of

cages keeps the light from the next row, and many of the birds

could not be seen at all.


I am not interested in Canaries, and did not pay any

special attention to them, save to admire the beautiful crests of

some of the birds and the rich colouring of the Lizards. I do

not admire birds in proportion to their rarity, but for their

beauty, and Mr. Dutton’s King Parrakeet (1049) pleased me more

than any other bird : it was in perfedt condition and wonderfully

fine plumage.


The Ecledtus Parrot (1950), close by, did not look well,

and was, besides, so shrouded by a curtain that it was very

difficult to see its lovely colour. It was a beautiful bird, but

put in a bad position and in a very poor light. The Laughing

Jackass (1037) was the largest that I have ever seen, and although

rather rough in its plumage, a grand bird. Mr. Castellan’s three

birds, Honey-sucker, Dyal bird, and Sliama, were of considerable

interest and great beauty. For glory of colouring, the Toucan

(1030), sent by Mr. Arthur, was the most noticeable exhibit. Its

bill was in admirable order and betokened the health of the bird,

and its colour was clear and brilliant. I11 English birds, I must

confess to being disappointed at the extremety small size of the

cages. There were Skylarks and Song Thrushes confined in

cages in which they could hardly turn, and their plumage was

suffering with every movement. It always seems to me very

hard that Skylarks should be kept at all in captivity ; but if it

must be so then aviaries are, I think, the only suitable places.

The bird ought to have room to open his wings.


A fine Woodpecker was exhibited by Mr. Lott (992). Its

owner had eredted in the cage a piece of virgin cork, at which

the bird was industriously working. A rough piece of tree-stem

would have been better. It was almost cruel to offer it barren,

dry cork upon which to pursue its wonderful and energetic

labour.


The Magpies were beauties : Victor (924), as grand a bird

as anyone could possibly want to see. There was an interesting

Corncrake in fine condition, but needing food, I believe. I think

amongst the British birds, Mr. Bradshaw’s Cornish Chough most

delighted me. It appeared to be perfectly healthy and really

cheerful, and its lovely red bill and feet were simply delightful

in colour.


One decision I came to, most emphatically, and it was,



