The L.C.B.A. Show.



67



Another rarity was a very nice Grasshopper Warbler in good

condition, though, we understand, that it had found the journey

rather trying ; the same Class contained Dartford Warblers, a Wry¬

neck and a splendid adult Black Redstart in beautiful plumage.

Among the Larks and Pipits were several Shore Larks and two

Rock Pipits, the last named being quite a rarity in a cage, although

common enough round our shores. Class 160: European Birds,

contained beside the Wallcreepers, a Two-barred Crossbill, which

we fancy we saw last year, an Icterine Warbler, a Red-breasted

Flycatcher and a Snow Finch, as well as one or two commoner

species. Class 157 contained a Sedge Warbler, a Willow Warbler,

and a Greater and Lesser Whitethroat. On walking through a

Show such as this one cannot help wishing that some of those who

so persistently decry bird-keeping could be present, most of their

arguments would at once fall to the ground, for the excellent

health and condition of these delicate birds, and their reappear¬

ance at the same Shows in successive years is sufficient proof

that kindness, care and attention, and not starvation and cruelty

has been bestowed upon them. Unfortunately these people never

come to look for themselves! The Pied and Albino Class con¬

tained a fine Silver Starling, which has been, if we remember

right, seen on the show bench for several years past. There was

a white Robin and a white Hedge Sparrow, both showing a

tinge of yellow on the breast, and a Bullfinch with a white cap

suffused with a delicate pinkish tinge. Hybrids were a strong

lot ; the Bullfinch hybrids included Redpoll, Linnet, Greenfinch,

Goldfinch; there were also Greenfinch-Redpoll, Redpoll-Gold¬

finch, Siskin-Greenfinch, Bramble-Chaffinch, Twite-Greenfinch,

Goldfinch-Siskin, Siskin-Redpoll and Greenfinch-Chaffinch.


This last is probably the greatest rarity, and is the first and

only one that has so far been bred. In general bulk and shape it

takes after the Greenfinch, the colour of the back is brown and

we could not detect auj^ trace of the bluish head of the Chaffinch.

The breast was pale vinous, clearly showing the Chaffinch origin,

fading off to yellow on the vent, The wings showed the white

bases to the primaries characteristic of the Chaffinch. We see

no reason to doubt the parentage of this bird, the only other

possibility is a Bramble-Chaffinch, but the build is so much that



