102



Mr. D. Seth-Smith,



FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE DECEMBER BIRD-SHOW

AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.


The recent Bird-show, held on the Sth, 9th, and 10th of

December, is a new institution as far as the Crystal Palace is

concerned, and it certainly gives promise of eclipsing the

older established shows, held in the Autumn and early Spring.

The December Show was held by the London Cage Bird

Association, the National British Bird and Mule Club, and

the Foreign Bird Club, and to the latter body belongs the credit

of having made the Foreign Bird Section what it was—the

best collection that has been brought together at the Crystal

Palace for the last three or four years; and I may here remark

that the compliment paid by the Council of the F. B. C. in

sending free passes to the Members of the Council of the

Avicultural Society was much appreciated.


The Judging of the Foreign Section was done by very

experienced aviculturists, and the general opinion seems to be

that it could hardly have been carried out better than it was.

Space only permits of our mentioning the most notable exhibits

in the Foreign Classes.


Amongst the Parrakeets, Mr. Hawkins’ fine pair of

Varied Lorikeets obtained first prize, the second going to a good

pair of Kings. Mr. Hamlyn sent a good specimen of the rare

Red-collared Lorikeet {Trichoglossus rubritorques), Mr. Hawkins’

a Tui (. Brotogeiys tui ), Messrs. Thwaites and Lloyd a Rock

Pepler or Black-tailed Parrakeet ( Polytelis melanura), and Mr.

Osbaldeston a Malabar Parrakeet (. Palceornis peristerodes), a species

seldom seen. There were several other good birds in this Class.


Dr. Lister sent his Banksian Cockatoo, but it did not look

so w r ell as at the last Show.


The Class for Doves and Quails was a failure, only three

lots being present, though there were eleven entries. The onlj r

birds worth noticing were a pair of Wonga Wonga Pigeons

belonging to Mr. Housdeu. but they were hardly in Show form

and were sent in an unsuitable cage.



