170 Notes on the Crystal Palace Bird Shozv.


Mrs. E. Galloway obtained third prize with a pair of the

charming little Scaly-fronted Weavers ( Sporopipes squamifrons )

from South Africa. Mr. Maxwell had yet another rare exhibit in

a pair of Fire-tailed Finches (Zoticegizifhus bellus'). These little

finches are extremely rare here, and these are the first I

remember seeing at a Show. Why the the judge only awarded

them v.H.C. is quite incomprehensible. They occur in the South

of Australia and Tasmania and are said to be very delicate and

difficult to import. I started from Tasmania last April with

eight specimens and only lost one on the voyage of seven weeks

and have not found them delicate, but for all this they are very

rarely imported. There were Parrot-finches, Gouldians, and a

nice pair of Australian Crimson Finches here also.


In the Class for Grosbeaks, True Finches and Buntings,

Mrs. E. Galloway secured the first prize with a nice Black-faced

Serin ( Serinus capistratus), the same bird that obtained similar

honours at the recent London Cage Bird Show. Mr. Maxwell’s

charming pair of Cuba Finches obtained an easy second prize ;

while a nice pair of Indigo Buntings, the cock in winter garb

(Mr. W. Cook) came third. A pair of some species of Spermophila

belonging to Mr. A. Sutcliffe obtained fourth prize. There were

three specimens of “ Yellow-browed Buntings,” a pair of

Japanese Hawfinches, Green Cardinals, a Diuca Finch, and one

or two commoner birds.


The Tanager Class is generally an interesting one, and

on this occasion was no exception to the rule. Mr. Maxwell

carried off the first three prizes with (1) a Black-throated, (2) the

rare Red-throated and (3) a Spotted Emerald Tanager, truly a

magnificent trio, and all in the pink of condition. Fourth and

fifth prizes were taken by Mr. Townsend with a fine Magpie

Tanager, and a Tri-colour Tanager respectively. A second

Magpie Tanager owned by Mrs. P. Smith, was very highly

commended, an Archbishop Tanager sent by Mr. R. J. Watts

was highly commended, and an uncommon Black-cheeked

Tanager, belonging to Mr. O. Millsum, commended.


There were eight entries in the Class for Sugar-birds, &c.,

and they formed a very interesting and showy class. Mr.

Townsend’s fine pair of Black-faced Sugar-birds ( Chlorophanes



