17



by Mr. I,. W. Hawkins, and each was exhibited separately. It

seems almost a pity that a pair should not have been exhibited

together: however, by separating them the owner gained three

awards instead of two. A very lovel}* female Violet-eared Waxbill,

in the most exquisite condition, was sent by Mr. Maxwell, and a

fine pair of the same species, by Mr. Fulljames ; but the latter

■were, unfortunately, moulting. There were several very good

Crimson Finches, one of which, sent by Mr. Maxwell, was

decidedly brighter than the others. Two good Rufous-tails were

contributed by Mr. Maxwell and Mr. H. B. Smith. There were

several excellent pairs of Cordon-bleus, the best of which

belonged to Mr. Fulljames. The Sydney Waxbills w T ere poor.

Mr. Smith’s Crimson-winged Waxbill was good: why is it that

one hardly ever sees a hen of this species ? A Green Avadavat

(593) seemed to have sustained some injury on its journey.


Class 52.—Gouldians and Parrot Finches ; 13 entries, and

all good. Mr. Maxwell’s Black-headed Gouldian (615) excelled

in the brilliancy of his hues and the satiny polish of his plumage,

and was, moreover, decorated with an exceptionally long pair of

pin-feathers in his tail. The same exhibitor sent a grand cock

Parrot Finch (614). Why is it that Parrot Finches, which are

easy birds to keep in condition, almost always look rough at

Shows? A Three-coloured Parrot Finch (612) was an interest¬

ing, but not a very prett} r , bird.


Class 53.—Another class for common birds, and another

disappointment, contained eight entries, including a good pair

of Parson Finches, two good Diamond Sparrows, and some

moderate Zebra and Ribbon Finches.


Class 54.—Grassfinches and Cuba Finches. This was

principally interesting on account of the very beautiful Long¬

tailed Grassfinches, more elegant in shape than the Parson

Finches, which they closely resemble, and with more delicately-

shaded tints of grey and brown. Mr. Hawkins’ pair (626) were

absolutely perfedt in condition and plumage, and others were

almost as good. The Masked Finches are hardly as pretty. Mr.

Maxwell’s Bieheno’s Finches were also in exquisite plumage. Is

it possible to distinguish the sexes of this species by inspection ?

With all due respect to certain avicultural writers, I do not

think it possible to distinguish them with certainty —of course,

one can make a pretty good guess in some cases. Mr. Fulljames

sent a good pair of Cuba Finches, and there were several Red¬

headed Finches.


Class 55 (Java Sparrows) contained 13 entries. The



