The Crystal Palace Bird Show.



173



(Bolborhynchus ) was shown, as well as two fine Kings ( Aprosmictus), two

cock Crimson Wings (Ptisles erythropterus), Barnards, Bauer’s, Yellow-

naped, Pennant, Barraband, and several others.


In the class for the larger Parrots, the only bird of any special interest

was a fine Banksian Cockatoo, now a well-known prize winner, which took

the first prize ; it was exhibited by Mr. C. A. Edwards.


The class for the rarer Waxbills, Grassfinches, Weavers and Manni¬

kins was a very large one, and contained some very rare and interesting

specimens. The first prize was awarded to a pair of Violet-eared Waxbills,

belonging to Mr. R. W. Hawkins, which did not look in very robust health.

A fine cock Red-faced finch ( Zonogastris melba ), owned by the same ex¬

hibitor, received the second ; a good pair of Blue Waxbills (Estrelda ango-

lensis), also sent by Mr. Hawkins, and a fine cock Dufresne’s Waxbill

belonging to Mr. H. Young equal third, while a pair of the rare Tri-coloured

Parrot-finch (also belonging to Mr. Hawkins) received equal fourth with a

pair of the far more beautiful ordinary Parrot-finch sent by Mr. H. K.

Picard. The Yellow-rumped Munia ( 3 f. flaviprymna ) formerly so rare, has

been freely imported during the last twelve months, and the two or three

pairs sent to this show failed to secure more than the “V.H.C.” card.

There was one Giant Whydali ( Cherci progne) sent by Mr. Reavers, and one

Red-collared Whydah (Mr. H. B. Smith), a cock Crimson-fincli (Mr. Pickles),

several Gouldians, Star-finches ( Bathilda ) and so forth.


The next class was for Grosbeaks, True Finches, and Buntings. The

first prize was awarded to a very fine cock Black-lieaded Siskin, exhibited

by Mrs. C. Cooper, which was very closely followed by a most beautiful pair

of Cuba Finches (Phojiipara canora ) sent by Mr. R. W. Hawkins. I am not

sure that the order of these two prizes should not have been reversed.

There were four or five specimens of the Olive Finch (P. Iepida) a

beautiful little bird, but which cannot compare for beauty with the true

P. canora. There were three specimens of the Yellow-billed Cardinal.


The class for Tanagers, .Sugar Birds and Sun Birds contained the

gems of the show. Mr. R. W. Hawkins received the first prize and one or

two specials for a specimen of the Malachite Sun Bird. This bird was in

ver} ? bad condition indeed, and should certainly, I think, have given place

to the superb example of Calliste melanonota exhibited by Mr. S. M.

Townsend. The Malachite Sunbird is a very common bird in South Africa,

and there is no reason why it should be rare on the show-bench ; whereas the

Black-backed Tanager, which had to take second place, besides being very

rare, was in absolutely perfect health and plumage. The fact of this

specimen having appeared before on the show-bench should not prevent its

true value and rarity from being appreciated. The third prize went to Mr.

Townsend’s Green Tanager, and the fourth to the same exhibitor’s pair of

Blue Sugar Birds. Mr. Townsend’s birds were certainly shown in the most

perfect condition that it is possible to imagine.



