BIRD SINGING CONTEST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 178, 18 July 1908, Page 4

BIRD SINGING CONTEST.

COMPETITION DKSOKIBEJX Bird-singing contests are a, favourite pastime of the London East-Ender, and those interesting tests of a bird's vocal powers are of frequent occurrence, Sunday morning—the East-Ender's holiday —being chosen as the favourite time for these competitions to be decided. As I entered the-dingy little publichouse parlour to witness a contest of this curious description I was greeted by a deafening din. The noise produced by some sixty birds singing'in. one little room 1 leave to your imagination. . The song of a bird is a beautiful thing, but the singing of some three-score in one little room is anything but sweet. It is too much of a medley. The air was full, ovcrllowing with song, and the sound seemed' strangely out, of place in the murky surroundings. The German-bred canary, I gleaned from a. bystander, was the best bird to place at a singing contest, their song being both frequent and full, but '-'they sings 'enrcclves tor death in less nor a year,'' added, my informant. The bird who sings most frequently, coupled with a musical rendering, in. a given time receives the prize. A "chirp " gltins but one mark, while a flood of melody will receive eight or ten marks, according to the judge's decision. The entrance fees for those interesting contests range, from 3d to Is, the money being pooled, and a prize, usually a handsome cage -or other appropriate present, being purchased with the proceeds.

To-iluy the championship of the town waste lw devilled, and it was tin; hope of every owner of iui 'eutereJ songster (o hear, when the result was given, that his bird was champion. . Threescore birds in all had been entered. The judge, a well-known local bird fancier, having taken the seat of honour surrounded by " pals " and pots of four ale, announced the contest as started. Many "class" birds were ranged around the room in their respective cages, canaries predominating, larks, linnets, and bulllinches completing the number. " Bill Smif, free marks for you," declared the judge, as that worthy's linnet broke forth into a preliminary twitter. Once started, the birds entered into the spirit of the contest, and seemed to recognise the important issue of their frequent and good singing. The judge soon had a busy time, and it was amusing to note the. owners' eagerness that their own particular songster should not be cheated out of his due marks. Indeed, that same eagerness frequently led to wordy warfare between judge and competitor. "Nah, then," again shouts the judge, "' don't yer know as it's agin the rules to whistle 'em. Young man, consider yerself out of it," to a too energetic owner who. perceiving his bird going "right oil' song," proceeded to coax him in {lie orthodox manner. An unwritten etiipietle declares the judge's decision as final, and tlie unfortunate man spoken tu relapsed into gloomy silence, ever and anon murmuring his disapproval of the existing state of affairs. But no one seemed to take any notice of him; they were too occupied with their own pet birds and pet pewters. The .termination was now drawing nigh anil the feathered songsters were rapidly Incoming' less enthusiastic in the, endeavour to display their power of song. At last '' time" was called, and the result awaited with breathless interest. "Hill Smif's" linnet proved an easy winner, the same bird that started the concert being, in the words of the judg", "ther best and most frequent all-round singer in ther company, and thereby declared to be ther champion of this town." This communication was received by ■'Kill Smif" and Ms friends with acclamation, and it was a, happy fellow who. pel in one hand and prize in the other, invited friends and foes to "Drinkup, mates, and better luck to yer ncx time,"