No. 105.] 95 



further on this connection of the two-legged races, and we will hasten 

 to the dry detail of business. 



Your premiums, offered for Dorkings, black- Polands, and for large 

 fowls — constituted the first class. 



The Dorkings have, for a time, played a very important part among 

 the aristocracy oi 'poultry dom^ seeming to pride themselves upon certain 

 traits incident to the family, among which not the least are, the powers 

 of carrying a high and a lofty crescent^ and sporting an extra but use- 

 less toe upon each foot. We say useless toe, for as far as all practical 

 purposes are concerned, less celebrated and more democratic fowl can 

 get along very well with only four, and indeed, manage to toe the mark 

 with becoming alacrity, and to tread up to the dough dish with more 

 ease and freedom in proportion to the lack of the incumbrance in 

 question. 



Of this privileged class, there were only two entries, viz : Luther 

 Tucker, of Albany, and by George Bement, of Albany. There were 

 also some very fine specimens of this breed presented for exhibition 

 only, by L. F, Allen, of Buffalo. 



We regret to state that Mr. Bement had the misfortune to lose, by 

 death, a valuable cock of this breed, after it came upon the ground — 

 proving most incontestibly that high bloody even in the poultry yard, is 

 not exempt from the casualties incident to fowls of more humble 

 pretensions.* 



As in duty bound, we condoled in all apparent sincerity with Mr. 

 Bement for his loss, but at the same time, could not help indulging a 

 little of the selfish weakness of human nature, in the consideration that 

 his loss had bden our gain, by reducing the question of competion to 

 one stock, and we very easily and unanimously agreed to give the 

 society's premium to the only remaining lot that could legitimately 

 claim it, viz : to Luther Tucker, of Albany. 



We think Mr. Tucker's stock of Dorkings may claim to be a grade 

 higher than the commonalty of this feathered nobility, inasmuch as 

 the spur on the larbo ard heel turns outward ; and the hen is provided 

 also with a pair of formidable spurs, with a view, we suppose, to enable 

 her to defend any ^'■reserved rights''"' that may be assailed by any 

 jealous or overbearing zealots of the coop. 



Another family, of ancient lineage and high born blood, put in their 

 claims for the society's favors and special consideration ; which family 

 rejoices in the name of the " black Polands," or "topknots." These 

 are distinguished by their livery of crow black, surmounted by an 

 enormous feathery tiara of pure white. But alas! purity of blood 

 cannot always be maintained, even in the best of families I and it is 

 not surprising too oftentimes see the peculiar badge of ancient Poland, 

 surmounting a head and shoulders of more plebeian origin. 



As matter of proof of this position, your committee were introduced 

 to a varied assemblage of the "topknot" race, all claiming preferment 

 — "as the manner of some is" by virtue of their ancestry, but never- 

 theless priding themselves upon some individual excellence of character 

 or person. 



♦Pallida mors pulsat eequa pede 

 Dorkingi coopumet roostrumPolandri. 



Virgil Impkoved. 



