15



came to an end. Here, there were several Leadbeaters beauti¬

fully shown, as, indeed, was 53S, a Salmon-crest. I gave 1st to a

pair of Leadbeaters, because it is, as I say, more creditable to

show a pair than one. But it is really no easy task to show a

Salmon-crest with the spotless purity of Mr. Jacob’s bird. Third

went to Mr. Maxwell’s well-shown lieu Ganga. It is possible,

however, to get Gangas into still better condition, and that kept

her lower than she would have otherwise been. Mr. Fulljames

showed a pair, but they were not in very good bloom. Mr.

Housden’s two Leadbeaters were two cocks. In pen 539 there

were a pair of Leadbeaters which I very highly commended,

which were peculiar for the hen being richest in colour.


The Specials, that had to be judged by Mr. Camps and

myself, were two : one for the rarest bird, and one for the best-

conditioned one, belonging to members of the League. Mrs.

Peacock’s Grey would have won the latter, but she is not a

member of the League ; after that, it was a toss-up between Mr.

Fulljames’ pair of Leadbeaters and his Crimson-wing—the prize

fell to the pair. My rarest bird was Mr. Fulljames’ Spix Macaw;

but his Princess of Wales Parrakeet, Mr. Maxwell’s Golden¬

shouldered, and Mr. Cocksedge’s Red-mantled Parrakeets were

all as rare, and in infinitely better condition. So I felt my

classes must resign that prize. Where were the “ Unicolors ”

Mr. Fulljames showed me at Brooklyn ? (d) But a prize for the

rarest bird is rather difficult to award. As far as I know Spix’s

Macaw, the Princess of Wales Parrakeet, the Red - mantled

Parrakeet, and the Golden-shouldered are all one as rare as the

other.


Again, what is meant by the rarest? The one of which

there are fewest specimens in the world ? Who can tell that ?

Or the one that comes least often into the bird-market ? But

one year that is one, another another. Three }^ears ago I would

have given it to the Ganga Cockatoo ; now that is comparatively

often seen. Perhaps Paradise Parrakeets, which at one time

could be easily bought, would win that prize to-day. However,

I must close, leaving my questions for others to answer.


F. G. Dutton.



FOREIGN FINCHES.


The classification appeared to me extremely liberal, the

arrangement of the classes was good, and a series of notes, giving

detailed instructions as to entering birds in their proper classes,

made it practically impossible for aiw exhibitor to enter his birds



( d ) Dead, I have since heard. F. G. D.



