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Sparrows, one of which, a hen, was catalogued as a “ Tree

Sparrow.” The first prize went to a very neat Hawfinch

belonging to Mr. Lowne.


In the class for Larks and Pipits, Messrs. Kilbury Bros.’

Skylark received the first prize, for the sixth time at the Palace.

A very beautiful Shorelark, the property of Mr. Parker Robinson,

came second ; and a delightful Woodlark, belonging to Mr.

Frostick, third. There were also one or two nice Tree Pipits

and Meadow Pipits.


There were some charming birds amongst the Robins,

several of which sang beautifully during the Show. I liked No.

1,711 best, but it was overlooked entirely by the Judge.


Some splendid Blackbirds were shown; “Zulu Prince,”

the winner of the first prize, is as good a Blackbird as I remember

to have seen. Another very tame and charming specimen (No.

1,736) was shown by Mr. B. H. Wilson, but it should have been

in a cage painted white, instead of dark green, inside.


There were thirty-three Song-thrushes, many of which

sang beautifully during the exhibition. Starlings’ were not

particularly well represented, but there were some very charming

birds present, many of which chattered away as merrily as ever

a Starling chattered upon a house-top.


Mr. Fulljames’ Chough was easily at the top of the class

for “ Magpies, Jackdaws, Jays, and Choughs;” but the second-

prize winner, Messrs. Kilbury Bros.’ Magpie “ Sirdar,” was a

truly magnificent bird, and an excellent talker and mimic. The

third prize was won by a Jay belonging to Mr. T. Blower. Mr.

Housden’s Chough appeared to me to be a hen.


The class for abnormally coloured specimens of British

birds is always interesting, and on this occasion was well up to

the average. First came Mr. Fulljames’ Cinnamon Starling, a

most beautiful bird which has before been mentioned in our

Magazine. The second prize went to a very differently coloured

bird of the same species — its entire plumage being of a beautiful

silver-grey tint. A very pretty Bullfinch came third—an albino

with a very delicate pink tint on the cheeks.


Other interesting “freaks” were, two pure white House

Sparrows, a black Bullfinch, a cinnamon Chaffinch, and a white

Thrush.


Next came the class for any other variety of the smaller

insectivorous residents. The first prize was awarded to a Tree-

creeper sent by Mrs. W. H. Field ; it did not look particularly

happy, but it was uncommon as a Show bird, and therefore, I



