S68 



JOUBNAIi OF HOBTIOULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Maj 14, lata. 



My friend (I discDss the matter with the most friendly 

 feeling), displays a strong propensity for jumping to extremes, 

 presuming that because I dislike " fan-tails and lowered wings," 

 I must be an advocate of " drooping tails and wings carried 

 half across the stern," and never for a moment considers it 

 possible that I may fancy the stamp of birds belonging to the 

 celebrated breeders of which he takes notice, and whose strains 

 he so justly holds in the highest estimation. These birds he 

 says, " are fit both to fight and to exhibit, whatever form of 

 tail they may present." Now, I venture to assume, that they 

 are neither " fan nor drooping-tailed ;" neither do they carry 

 their wings " half across their sterns like Geese ;" nor do they 

 cover their thighs therewith, but occupy a medium position in 

 all these respects, and hence we come to the only possible con- 

 clusion which must be apparent to all — viz., that the tails and 

 wings have nothing at all to do with the fighting qualifications. 



I am next reminded, that " exhibition birds are rather of a 

 different type from real fighting birds in many strains." Sup- 

 posing this to be granted, it is not necessarily the case, which 

 Mr. Dickens himself admits when he says that those "birds 

 he considers perfection are fit both to fight and to exhibit." 

 I never saw a real cock fight, detesting as I do such brutal 

 practices, but the principal points which I strive to attain in 

 my exhibition birds would, I doubt not, be of good service in 

 the " pit." For example : A good square front ; strong, curved, 

 and firmly-set mandible ; short, close, hard feathers ; and thick 

 muscular thighs of moderate length and well displayed, would 

 be viewed with gratification both by exhibitors and cockers. 

 A cock of this stamp has not the same Hamburgh display of 

 tail as the soft-feathered birds, which tends greatly to its ad- 

 vantage, as it is quite natural to suppose a Game fowl should 

 not be encumbered with plumage. 



While Mr. Dickens asserts that I made an incorrect state- 

 ment in hinting that he advocated " drooping wings," he makes 

 a too conspicuous attempt to get the wings put in better position 

 by raising them somewhat above the mire and causing them 

 now only to shield the "upper part" ef the thighs ; whereas 

 in his former article they were required to " shield the thighs." 

 By another week I trust my friend will have given them another 

 " hitch," and allowed them to spring into their proper place — 

 viz., lying closely pressed against the sides of the body with 

 their extremities meeting immediately under the root of the 

 tail. In any other direction the bird is prevented from dis- 

 playing that handsome wedge shape which is one of its most 

 characteristic beauties. 



Mr. Dickens further remarks that my birds must be " slow," 

 as, " if they had been quick good birds, they would have killed 

 each other in a few minutes ;" but Mr. Dickens is somewhat 

 like his strain in this respect — a little too fast, for he does not 

 take time to inquire after the age of the birds before he fixes 

 their doom. I was not aware that cockerels unspurred could 

 do such dreadful execution in so short a time, and fondly hope, 

 with me at least, this will never be the case. Mine are " mere 

 exhibition birds," and ail I do to maintain their fighting quali- 

 ties is to adhere to the careful annual introduction of fresh 

 blood. 



With regard to " using a stick or weapon of defence," Mr. 

 Brown is quite qualified to defend this statement, aud I doubt 

 not, if it can possibly serve any good end, he will gladly do so. 

 Of course Mr. Dickens's favourite " gamest birds that are not 

 our exhibition birds in general, but a smaller bird altogether," 

 will have a less telling effect upon that gentleman's hand than 

 Mr. Brown's two-year-old exhibition bird. 



Before closing allow me to express my hope that Mr. Dickens 

 is now convinced of the impropriety of advocating in so widely 

 circulated a paper as " our Journal " the introduction of a 

 stamp of fowls to which he would never give a prize in the ex- 

 hibition pen, the more especially as we have got him to admit 

 the existence of birds " fit both to fight and to exhibit." These 

 are the birds we should attempt to spread over the country, 

 and at the same time use our utmost endeavour to dispel from 

 our midst the " rubbish," which cau only bring disgrace on 

 the majestic birds that proudly bear and maintain the name of 

 " Game." — H. Goodall, Sion House, Kirkcaldy. 



Sunday there were four eggs. Two years ago I had a Dnck of 

 the same breed that laid eggs in the same number of days, 

 never missing during the time. 



Should you deem fit to insert the enclosed, you are at liberty 

 to do so. — Charles Sedgwick, Pojddlesclen Hall, Keiphh'ij, 



[The money for the fowls you sold two years ago can be re- 

 covered by suing the purchaser in the County Court.] 



HULL AND EAST RIDING TOULTRY 

 EXHIBITION. 



This va.s licH in the Pablio Rooms, Jantatt Street, Hall, on tiie 

 12th aud 13th insf . 



Ill addition to the money prizes, there were three silver cups given 

 by the Society for the best pens of Game ; a silver cup, by J. 

 East,:u, Esq., for the best pen of Bantams ; and a silver cup, given 

 by Mr. W. E. Easten, for the best pen of Pigeons. A sixth silver cup, 

 was given by Thomas Reynoldson, Esq., for the best Lop-eoi-ed 

 Eabhit ; and a bust of Vesta, with pedestal, in Parian marble, was 

 given by E. J. Davis, Esq., as an extra prize in the Spanish, Dorking, 

 and Cochin-Chiua classes. 



The following is the prize list : — 



GiJu: (Black-lircasteil, or other Reds.)— Cup and Thiid, J. Fletcher' 

 Stoneclough. near Manchester (BlackRedsl. Second, S. Matthew, Chilton 

 (Brown Redsl. Hishly Commended, H. M. JuU.-in. UuU(Reds) ; J. H. 

 Wilson, St. Bees (Black Beds) ; C. Chaloner, Steetley. 



Game (.\ny other variety). — Cup, J. Fletcher. Second. W. Boyes, 

 Beverley I Duckwingsi. Tliird. H. M. Julian (Duckwings). Highly Com- 

 mended, H. M. Julian ; S. Matthew. 



Game Cock 'Anv variety). — Cup, H, M. Julian. Second, J. Fletcher. 

 Third, W. H. Wheeler (Black Red). Highly Commended, J. Fletcher; 

 S. Matthew (Black Red) ; G. R. Smith, SciiiborouRh ; R. Woods, Osberton 

 'Black Bed). Commended. Church & Houlding, Nantwich (Brown Red) ; 

 J. Brough, Carlisle: J. Whitfield. Hull. 



Spanish.— First, H. Beldou. Biugley. Second, J. R. Rodbard, Wrington, 

 near Bristol. Highly Commended, H. Beldon. Commended, Burch and 

 Boulter, Sheffield ; J. Thresh, Bradford. 



Dorkings (.^ny varietv).— First, W. H. Robson, Louth, Lincolnshire 

 (Coloarcd). Second, Mrs. M. Seamone, Hartwell, Aylesbury. Highly 

 Commended. T. Marris. Ulceby ; Mrs. F. Hurt, Alderwasiey, Derby 

 (Coloured) ; J. Elgar. Kewurk ; C. Chaloner. 



Cochins (Cinnamon or BuiT).— First, W. A. Taylor, Manchester. Se- 

 cond, T. H. Barker, Hovingham. Highly Commended, H. Savile, OUerton, 

 Notts ; Gunsoii ^'j Jefierson. Whitehaven ; J. Cattell. Birmingham. 



Cochins (.\nv other variety).— First and Eitra, T. Stretch, Oi-mskirk 

 (Partridge). Second. F. Haworth, Haslingden (White). Highly Com- 

 mended, Mrs. A. Williamson, Leicester (White) ; B. S. Lowndes, Stoney 

 Stratford (Partridge) ; J. K. Rodbard (Partridge) ; J. -i. Taylor, Manchester 

 (Partridge). 



BE.tHJiAs (.4jiy colour).- First, Mrs. F. Hmt. Second, E. Leech, 

 Rochdale. Highly Commended, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. 



Hamecpghs fGolden-spangled). — First, J. S. Senior, Dewsbnry. Second, 

 G. Holmes, Driffield. Highly Commended, Jl. Beldon ; H. R. Ashton. 



Hamburghs (Golden-pencilled). — First and Second, J. R. Jessop, Hull. 

 Commended, H. Beldon. 



Hambcrghs (Silver-spangled).- First, H. Beldon. Second, J. Walker. 

 Highly Commended, H. Beldon ; H. Pickles, jun., Earby, Skipton. 



HA3IBURGRS I Silver- pencilled).— First, H. Beldon. Second, H. Pickles, 



Second, Mrs E. Procter, 

 G. W. Boothby, Louth, 



EXCESS OF EGGS, 

 I HAVE a two-year-old Boueu Duck that last Sunday laid 

 three eggs before eight o'clock in the morning, on iUonday 

 one, on Wednesday two, one of which weighed ti ozs., aud on 

 Friday two more. All the above were properly shelled. I have 

 only two Ducks aud a drake, so cannot be mistaken. On the 



jun Commended, C. Haworth. 



Polands (Any variety). — First, J. S. Senior. 

 Hull. Highly C'ommended, Mrs. E. Procter ; 

 Lincolnshire. 



Any Variety, not before Mentioned. — First, W. H. Tomlinsou, 

 Newark (Sultans). Second, Col. S. Wortley, Grove End Road, London 

 (French). Highly Commended, Rev. P. W. Story, Daventry (Nigger 

 Bantams); Mason ^t Walker (ElackHamburgh). Commended, Mrs. J. E. 

 Cross, Brigg (Creve-Cceurs). J. K. Fowler (French). 



Game Bantams lAuy variety). — First Mrs. E. Crawford, Southwell. Se- 

 cond, W. F. Entwisle, Leeds (Black Reds, Game). Highly Commended,. 

 i W. Parker, Clay Cross; Rev. G. Raynor, Toubridge (Black Reds); L. 

 Bincy, Manchester ; E. Toder, Little Carlton. Commended, W. Dale, 

 Weston-super-Mare (Black Reds) ; R. Smith, Hull ; J. Gawan, Beverley. 

 CocJ:. — First and Cup, J. Fletcher. Second, J. Bamber, Accrington (Black 

 Red). Highly Commended, W. F. Entwisle (Black Red) : J. J. Cousins, 

 AUerton (Bla'ck Reds) ; T. Whitaker, Melton Jlowbray (Pile) ; B. Jarvis, 

 Mansfield ; W. J. Cope, Eamsley (Black Red.) 



Bantams (Gold or Silver-laced).- Fir*t, H. Draycott, Humberstone. 

 Second. T. C. Harrison, Hull. Commended, T. C. Harrison ; H. Beldon. 



Bantams iBlack or White).— First, E. Cambridge, Bristol (Black). 

 Highly Commended, J. R. Jessop ; W. H. Tomlinson ; W. B. Graham. 

 Melrose ; S. and R. Ashton, Mottram. Commended, H. Beldon. 



Ducks (Aylesbury).— First, Mrs. M. Seamous. Second andHighlyCom- 

 mended, J. K. Fowler. 



DccKS (Rouen).— First, J. J. Stott, Rochdale. Second, E. Leech. Com- 

 mended, H. Dowsett, Pleshev : F. Parlett, Chelmsford. 



Ducks (Any other variety').— First, T. C. Hanison. Second, J. Dixon, 

 Bradford iBabama). 



Selling Class (Anv variety).— First, H. Savile (Crive Coeurs). Se- 

 cond, W. A. Taylor, Attleborongh (Cochins). Highly Commended, M. 

 Fcrrand, Dalton (Spanish) ; S. C. Noble, Kendal (Silver-spangled Ham- 

 burghs: ; Lady L. Charteris (Houdans); Bowman & Fcaron, Whitehaven 

 (Silver-spangled); B. M. Julian (Game); T. C. Hamson (Ducks). Com- 

 mended, Gunson & Jefferson (Rouen). 



PIGEONS. 

 Carrier.— Coci-.-First, J. Hawley, Bingley (Black). Second, J. C. 

 Ord, Pimlico, London. Highly Commended, R. H. Artindale, West Derby : 

 R. Fulton. Doptford ; H. Yardley, Birmingham. Commended, Dr. Thomp- 

 son, Snaith (Black). Hen. — First, J. Hawley (Black). Second, it. Fnltoii, 

 Highly Commended, J. Hawley (L>un). Commended, R. Fulton. 



