Rare Foreigzi Birds at the Crystal Palace. 69


RARE FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE CRYSTAL

PALACE.


The recent bird-show at the Crystal Palace, although by

no means remarkable for the number of exhibits in the foreign

classes, contained a few birds which were of very great interest,

some of these being the first of their kind to appear on the

show-bench. It is not easy to say positively which was the

rarest bird. Mr. Hawkins’ Lagonosticta niveiguttata (a species

we hope soon to figure in this journal), and Dr. Hopkinson’s

L. rufopicta are two rare and beautiful Firefinches, the former

being especially worthy of the attention of aviculturists. The

Great Indian Weaver (.Ploceus megarhynchus , Hume), shown by

Mr. Theobald, is probably the first of its species to appear at a

bird-show, although several specimens were on view at Earl’s

Court during the summer of 1902. It appears that only some

twenty specimens of this large form have been recorded alive

or dead.


Amongst the Parrots, the most notable, so far as rarity

was concerned, was Mrs. Johnstone’s specimen of Tanygnathus

everetti , catalogued as “ Violet-backed Parrot.” I believe this to

be absolutely the first and only specimen of this species that has

ever reached this country alive.


The Red-collared Lorikeets (Trichoglossus rubritorques')

shown by Mr. Hamlyn belonged to the second consignment of

this fine species to reach this country. They were in very rough

plumage. Mr. E. W. Hawkins is to be congratulated on his

very perfect pair (the best we have seen) of Varied Lorikeets

{.Ptilo sclera). Their lovely condition speaks well for the

suitability of the food he gives them, which consists of honey

and fruit for the most part.


Dr. H. Lister’s beautiful specimen of the Banksian

Cockatoo (Calyptorhyzichus banksi) was perhaps the most

striking bird in the show ; we do not remember to have seen one

of its kind at the Palace before.


Mr. Housden exhibited a pair of the Brown-throated



