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Foreign Birds at the Crystal Palace





immediate results from replacing a vitamin deficiency. There is

invariably a latent period of three weeks.


During this latent period the animal or bird may die although

amply supplied. In birds this improvement might be deferred to the

next moult.


It is probable that birds can manufacture the other vitamins in

their skin, as well as vitamin D.


Clear eggs are due to a vitamin A or vitamin B deficiency, mostly,

or vitamin E.


The whole subject bristles with difficulties, like the Echidna at the

Zoo which should lay eggs; it overwhelms one. We do not lose any

marmosets now. I wish I could say the same of our birds.


Can we improve the health of delicate Softbills by feeding meal¬

worms on vitamin-rich substances ? The experiment might be tried

with dried lettuce and cabbage-leaves, yeast, carrot, and cod-liver

oil mixed with meal.



FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE


The annual exhibition of Cage Birds was this year held at the Crystal

Palace from 4th to 6th February, and was conducted by the officials of the

Palace. Mr. S. A. Legg acted as secretary and show manager, and is to be

heartily congratulated on the success of the undertaking. The Foreign Bird

Section was staged in the large dining-hall, a most happy arrangement, as

the heating and lighting were both excellent. Numerically, the show was

not quite up to last year, though in quality it left nothing to be desired.


The Parrot classes suffered from the continuance of the regulations

prohibiting the importation of these birds, which might safely now be

cancelled or modified.


In the class for Lories, Lorikeets, and Hanging Parrots, Miss Home

secured first prize with a beautiful pair of Worcester’s Hanging Parrots,

Mr. A. Wilson taking second with a good Purple-capped Lory.


In the Lovebird and Parrotlet class, Mr. Whitley obtained first place

with a pair of Green Parrotlets (Forpus viridissimus) which, I understand,

bred successfully last summer. Mr. Whitley’s pair of Abyssinian Lovebirds

were second, a very good Red-faced shown by Mr. Frostick third, and a

pair of Fischers, belonging to Mr. Rigby, fourth.


Amongst the Commoner Parrakeets, Mr. Whitley won first with a Rosella,

and Mrs. Beauchamp second with a Tui; while in the Conures, Mr. Whitley

showed a very fine Wagler’s Conure, a Patagonian, and a Red-headed which

obtained first, second, and third respectively. Mr. Whitley also took the



