ON BIRD SHOWS, SEASONAL CHANGES, AND NEST-BUILDING. 51 
health.” “ Shall I wash them ? ” “No; let them wash themselves.” 
“ Shall I colour-feed them ? ” “ No ; if your birds are good enough 
to win on their own merits, let them win ; if not, do not attempt 
to hoodwink the judge or the purchaser.” 
As for show points, those which are of most importance are 
steadiness combined with a sprightly erect carriage, brilliancy of 
colouring, definition of markings, and breadth or purity of dis- 
tinctive patches (as in the cheeks or blaze of the Goldfinch and the 
white wing-patch of the Chaffinch), the colouring of beak and feet, 
and the perfect condition of the limbs. 
The real end and object of a bird show is to increase the public 
interest in bird-keeping, to exhibit to the aviculturist birds which he 
would otherwise perhaps never see alive, and to give pleasure to all 
who delight in beauty ; it also is of use in bringing together and 
introducing one lover of birds to another, and it enables the 
experienced man to instruct his pupil by giving him object-lessons. 
The late Mr. Abrahams put me up to several wrinkles, and tested 
my proficiency many times at bird shows, somewhat as follows: — 
“ What are those ? ” “ Diamond Sparrows.” “ You’re another.” 
“ What are they ? ” “ Two cocks.” “ Right ; you know but the 
judge doesn’t ; he’s given them a first.” That sort of thing is good 
exercise for the learner. 
What are the best kinds of show cages P Undoubtedly those 
which are as huge as the regulations will permit them to be, and, 
at the same time, are so constructed as to show off the birds to the 
greatest advantage. For all the larger Parrots 1 do not think 
anything better than the all-wire cage, either domed or waggon- 
arched, has yet been discovered ; and, in my opinion, all show cages 
should have the top wired as well as the front, for without a top 
light (particularly in the gloom of many show tents) it is impossible 
to see the birds properly. 
One thing must be borne in mind by all who exhibit their birds, 
and that is, the great risk which they run of losing them. If they live 
at a distance, and have to forward their pets by road or rail, death 
may result in delays, careless handling, inquisitiveness, exposure, 
accident. If the birds arrive in safety, they maybe so staged as to 
be subjected to incessant draughts ; they may be so fed that there 
will be little hope of their recovery. I gave up showing partly for 
1 hese reasons. I found my birds in dangerous draughts, and they 
died of lung disease. I sent food with others, in order that they 
might be correctly fed, and different food, which gave them fits and 
killed them, was substituted ; but I think what annoyed me most 
was to send a genuine and perfect pair of birds for competition, and 
see them quite ignored, while two cocks of the same species (in no 
better plumage) carried off the first prize. If you decide to show, 
you must make up your minds to all these drawbacks. All carriers 
and railway officials are not careful, all show attendants do not care 
to be bothered with special foods, and all judges of birds are not 
up to their work, though some are. One thing, perhaps, may be 
