138 



JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ February 17, 1870. 



those usually seen, at any rate in the south of England. Tho French 

 varieties formed a nice class. La Fleche were first, very large birds, 

 apparently overshown. Remarkably good Hondans were second. A 

 handeome pen of CKve-Creurs, the cock minus his tail, and another of 

 clever-shaped Hondans, received high commendations. Messrs. Hills 

 and Co.'s unnoticed pen (92), though not compact birds, looked praise- 

 worthy through the wires. 



The class for " Any other variety of fowl " contained first-rate spe- 

 cimens of useful and ornamental breeds, and was second only in merit 

 to the Hamburgh classes. Beautiful Silver Polish were first, scarcely 

 inferior White- crested Black second ; Sultans, Andalnsians, Golden- 

 spangled Polish honourably mentioned. Three hybrids were shown 

 in this class, the result of a cross between a Pheasant and a fowl ; 

 their plumage seemed to be mainly bronzy brown with a rich metallic 

 hue about the neck ; they were curious rather than handsome, and did 

 not appear to be very wild. 



Game Bantams, thirty-three entries, many of them very good. Mr. 

 Kelleway's birds were remarkable for beauty of colour. Bantams, any 

 other variety, formed a small but good class ; Sebrighis of the highest 

 merit first, Rose-combed Blacks second. Where are the Rose-combed 

 clean-legged White Bantams, than which none are piettier? Where, 

 too, is the pert, lively, feather-legged breed? Both out of fashion, I 

 fear. Need it be wondered at? To one silver cup offered for any 

 variety of Bantam except Game, thirty are offered for Game Bantams. 

 Writing of the dwarfs of the poultry yard leads me to think of the 

 giants. I regret the absence of Malays from most poultry shows. 

 Space should be found for these Goliaths. What a striking contrast 

 they would present arranged opposite or nest to the Bantam classes ! 



Then might spectators marvel that birds so. dissimilar should be alike 

 the descendants of the original pair (a most original pair I can imagine), 

 that at one time must have constituted Noah's strain. 



Of Ducks, Aylesburies took the first prize. Neither Aylesbury nor 

 Rouen were large as weigh's go. Some very pretty ornamental water- 

 fowl were exhibited in this class. Geese and Turkeys were average 

 classes. 



The Pigeons, though not numerous, were of the highest merit. Of 

 Pouters White were first. Of Barbs auch a collection is seldom seen ; 

 Blacks were first, Yellows second, the whole clas3 honoured by the 

 Judge. For Carriers Mr. Maynard took both prizes with splendid 

 birds. The winners (eighteen mouths old), were almost faultless; 

 such shape and carriage as they displayed are seldom seen now-a-days. 

 Among FantailB a pair of very handsome but rather coarse Whites 

 was first, a good pair of Blues second. Mr. Maynard's highly com- 

 mended Whites were smaller and more delicate than either of the 

 winning pairs. I am inclined to think "Wiltshire Rector" would 

 have awarded them the first prize. The " Any other variety class " was 

 strong in numbers and merit, Mr. Yardley deservedly first. Lady 

 Boothby's Runts must have been inirorted from Brobdignag. 



Adjoining the Exhibition Hall were refreshment rooms. Here the 

 wearied fancier after, as some people beautifully express it, " standing 

 on his legs " all day (as though any were in the habit of standing on 

 their heads all day), might sit down to a good and inexpensive repast. 

 This suits the digestion of tho period — which I take to be identical 

 with dyspepsia — better than having to bolt one's food standing cramped 

 and jostled in front of a busy bar. I wish success to the next Ports- 

 mouth Show. — H. S. FraseRj ffeadiey, Hants. 



THE ANTWERP PIGEON. 



The engraving below, contributed by the Birmingham 

 Columbarian Society, represents one of the best specimens 

 exhibited at their last Show. The members of this Society 

 can -with safety say that they possess the best specimens of 



" Show Antwerps " similar to this, and however seldom sach 



a type can be seen at public exhibitions, birds conforming 



to it aae to bo seen in formidable classes at this Society's shows. 



The engraving represents a fully-developed, above-three- 



years-old bird (three years being the age of maturity), Silver- 

 dun Antwerp, which is the most favourite colour, being so dis- 

 similar to any other class of Pigeons. It is of a silver ground 

 in body and head, with a very deep purple-red neck and hackle, 

 and well-defined red bars across the wings. 



The head of this cla=s of birds is to all true connoisseurs of 

 Pigeons moat intelligent and dignified ; it is rather oval from 

 the root of the beak to the back of the head, and well arched, 

 forming also an arch across the eyes, thus having no indenta- 

 tions whatever. The skull, though oval, is broadband rather 



