Ja&o 5, 1B66. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOETICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GABDENER. 



437 



Ihis period of the year is not, as a rulo, a favourable one for the 

 cxhibitiou of aJalt fowls ; the bretding season beinj^ far aJvancetl, the 



Elumage begins to luok somewhat sbabby, ami not a few of the best 

 ens arc just now wisely permitted by their owners to enjoy the rest 

 consequent on incubation. There whs, nevertheless, as little to com- 

 plain of on this point as could be expected, for most of those fowls 

 entered for competition, being the property of experienced exhibitors, 

 were sho^vn in good feather. The O'amr classes were especially praise- 

 worthy ; Mr. Boyes, of Beverley, winning the silver cup for the best 

 pen of Game with a pair of extraordinarily well-conditioned Duck- 

 wings, pressed closely, however, by Mr. Mathew, of Stowmarket, 

 Sir St. George Gore, and Mr. Fletcher, of Manchester. The silver 

 cup for the best single Game cock fell to the lot of Mr. Brierley, of 

 Middletou, but this prize was equally well contested with those in the 

 former Game classes. In Sjia7iUh fowls the Exhibition at Beverley 

 was numerous as to the entries, and the quality was far beyond what 

 is generally to be mot with. In fact, many of the highly commended 

 birds were of great t-xrelltuce. In this class, as also in the following 

 one, Grey Dorkinys, the remarkably excellent condition of Viscountess 

 Hohnesdale'a pens decided the victory, and added still another couple 

 of silver cups to fornur successes. It is but JQstice to Mr. Martin, 

 who has the care of her ladyship's poultry, to add that we never saw 

 any bii'ds sent out di^jdaying better management. TheBufi' Cochins, 

 and the Partridge- coloured also, were of gi-eat merit, the competition, 

 tliough large as to the number of entries, being excellent throughout. 

 Mr. Jeunison, of Bello Vue, Manchester, obtained the silver cup for 

 the best pen of Cochiup, and reference to the prize list >vill show that 

 most of our noted breeders competed. The class for Partridge-coloured 

 Cochins was good throughout. The Uamlmriih classes were far better 

 than we anticipated, as so late in the season tells, especially against 

 those varieties. Messrs. Beldon and Wood were the principal jirize- 

 takers. It is rarely that so, good a class of Po^an^^fe is found at any 

 show. The White-created were the victors. 



Some especially good Sultans were exhibited in the Variety class ; 

 they were the property of Mr. Zurhorst, of Donnybrook. Their long 

 jonmey from Ireland seemed not to have affected them in the least. 

 Sir St. George Goio seemed to monopolise all the principal Game 

 ^an(cr7/i prizes with light-feathered, really " gamy "-looking birds in 

 all points. The show of Sebright Bantams was unusually good, and 

 the Blacks and Whites were also excellent. 



The Ducks were good, more especially the Variety class, in which 

 many of the rarest and most beautiful-plumaged birds were well shown, 



The I'ificons were so perfect tliat almost every pen obtained a place 

 in the prize list. 



The day was most favourable. 



Game (Black-breasted and other Red). — First, S. Mathew, Stowmarket. 

 Second, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, Manchester. Highly Commended, 

 Sir St. G. Gore, Bart., Hopton Hall, Wirksworth. Commended, F. Sales, 

 Crowle. 



Game (Any other variety).— First and Silver Cup, W. Boyes, Beverley. 

 Second, J. P'letcher. Commended, Sir St. G. CTore, Bart. 



Game Cock.— First, C. W. Brierley, Middletun. Manchester. Second, 

 Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. Highly Commended, \V. Boyes; J. Fletcher; 

 S.Matthew; M. W. Stobart, DarUngton ; C. W. Brierley ; H. M. JuHan, 

 HulL 



Spanish.— First and Cup, The Viscountess Holmesdalo, Linton Park, 

 Staplehurst, Kent. Second, H, Beldon, Goitstock, Eingley. Highly 

 Commended, B. Jones, Chftou, Bristol; Mrs. A. M. Holmes, Hotham ; 

 C.T. Bishop, Birmingham; .J. Marchant, Halifax ; J.T.Bottom, Bradford; 

 H. Beldou. Commended, The ^'iHCountess Holmesdale. 



DoaKiNG. — Cup, First, and Second, The Viscoxmtess Holmesdale. 

 Highly Commended, M. Hunter, Green Uimimertou ; tir St. G. Gore, 

 Bart.; T. Biu'gess ; J. Roiandson, Hawljshead, Lancaster; F. Smith, 

 Driffield. Commended, C. Pcasa, Darlington. 



Cochins (Cinnamou or BuiT). — First and Cochin Cup, C. Jennison, 

 Belle Vue, Manchester. Second, Capt. Heatou, Lower Broughton, Man- 

 chester. Highly Commeaded, Rev. T. H. Barker, Hovingham; C. W. 

 Brierley, Middletou, Manchester ; H. Tomlinson, Balsal Heath Koad, 

 Birmingham. 



Cochins (Any other variety). — First, Capt. Heaton. Second, J. Stephens, 

 Walsall. Commended, J. E. Cireenhaigh, Harwich; E. Tudman, 

 Whitechurch. 



HAsreuitGH iGold-ppangied). — First and Cup. H. Beldon. Second, Sir 

 St. G. (iore, Bart. Highly Commended, G. Sutton, York; A. K. Wood; 

 J. Newton, Silsden, Leeds. 



Hamburgh (Silver-spangled). — First, A. K. Wood. Second, H. Beldon. 

 Highlv Commended, J. iiclding, Newchurch ; Sir St. G. Gore, Bart.; 

 A. K. Wood. 



Hamburgh (Gold-pencilled). — First, H. Beldon. Second, S. Suiitb, 

 NorthowTam, Halifax. Commended, T. Wrigley, jun., Tonge, Middletou. 



Hamburgh (Silver-pencilled).— First, A. K. Wood. Secoud, H. Beldon. 

 Commended, E. ifeardlej, Wisewood, >heffield. 



Polish.— First, H. Carter, Upperthong. Second, H. Beldon. Highly 

 Commended, Mrs. Proctor, Hull ; H. Beldon. 



Any other Variety. — Fir^t, F. W. Zurhorst, Donnybrook (Sultans). 

 Second, Sir. St. G. Gore, Bart. (Black H;imb\irgh). Highly Commended, 

 J. H. Pickles, Todmorden (Brahmnsi ; Hv. Beldon (Black Hamburgh). 



Bantams (Game).— First, Sir St. O. (.iore, Bart. Second, Messrs. U. & E. 

 Toder, Little Carlton, Newark. Highlv Commended, C. Ashworth, 

 HaUfax. 



Bantams (Any other variety).— First, F. L. Roy, Kelso, N.B. (Silver- 

 lacedi. Second, J. W. Morris, Rochdale. Highly Commended, T. C. 

 Harrison, Hull (Silver-laced) ; Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. (White) ; Messrs. 

 S. & R. Ashton, Mottram, Manchester (Silver-laced) ; F. L. Roy (Silver- 

 lacod). Commended, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. (Blacks); G. Manning, 

 Springfield, Et-^ex (li.dd-laced). 



Bantam Cuck (Game). — First and Bantam Cup, Sir St. G, Gore, Bart, 



Ddckb (Aylesbm-y).- First, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbm-y. Seeond, J. Story. 

 Warter, York. Commended, M. Harrison, Waiter. 



Ducks (Rouen).— First, J. K- Fowler. Second, S. Stott, Rochdale. 

 Ducks [Any other variety).— First, T. Han-isun, Hull. Second, Sir St. 

 G. Gore, Bart. Highly Commeuded, J. R. Jossop, Hull. 



PIGEONS. 



Carriers.— CocA; : First, F. Else, Buyswater, Loudon. Second, J. 

 Firth, jun., Webster Hill, Dewabury. Third, E. Homer, Hareivood, Leeds. 

 Fourth, J. Thackray, York. Verj- Highly Commeuded. V. C. Bradley, 

 Hall Cross House, Doucaster; J. Firth, jim. ; H. Yardlcy, Market 

 Hall, Birmingham; C. Cowburn, Leeds; R. Fulton, Deptford. Com- 

 meuded, H. Simpson. Wiiitby. Hai : First, K, Fidton. Second, If. Simp- 

 sou. Third, H. Yardley. Fourth, J. Thackray. Very Highly Commeuded, 

 R. Bellamy, Leven ; F. C. Bradley, Doucaster ; H. Yiirdley ; C. Cowburn ; 



E. Yeardley, Sheffield; F. Else, Bayswater. Highly Commended, J. Firth, 

 jun. Commended, J. Firth, jun. 



Powtebs.— Cocfc: First, B. Fulton. Second and Third, W. Watson, 

 Beverley. Fourth, J. Thackray. Highly Commended, T. Knowles, 

 Aberdeen; F. Key, Beverley. Commended, T. Kiiowlea. Ihn : First, 

 R. Fulton. Second, F. Key. Third, J. Thackray. Fourth, Master J. Key, 

 Beverley. Commended, W. Watson. 



ALMoNns.— First, 11. Fulton. Second, F. Else. Third, C. Cowburn. 

 Fourth, J. Thackray. Yeiy Highly Commended, H. Yardley ; J. Campey, 

 Beverley; E. Yeardley. Highly Commeuded, R. Bellamy; C. Lythe, 

 Cottingham. 



TujiBLERS (Anv other variety). —First, R. Fulton. Second, C. Cowburn. 

 Thii'd, O. Wostenholme, Sheffield, Fourth, J. Campey. Very Highly 

 Commended, H. Yardley; C. Lythe; E. Homer. Highly Commended, 

 R. Bell, Beverley. Commended, J. W. Thompson, Hull. 



Barbs.— First, J. Thackray. Second, H. Beldou. Third, H. Yardley. 

 Very Highly Commended, J. Firth, jun. ; H. Yardley. Highly Commended, 

 H. Simpson, Whitby ; J. Firth, jun. 



Owls. - First. F. Fielding, jun., Rochdale. Second, H. Yardley. Tliird, 



F. C. Bradley, Doucaster. 



Fantails. — First, F. Else. Second, T. Ellrington, Woodmansey. 

 Third, F. Key. Highly Commended, H. Yardley. 



Jacobins.— First, E. Horner, Harewood. Second, F. Else. Third, H, 

 Yardley, Commended, H. Beldon ; W. Charter, Driffield. 



Trumpeters.- First, F. Else. Second, H. Simpson, Whitby. Third, 

 F. Key. CommendeJ, H. Yjirdlev. 



Tdkbits.— First, A. Middletou, Ne^-port. Second, J. Gawnn. Third, 

 H. Yardley. Very Highlv Commended, H. Yardley. Highly Commended, 

 W. W. Bie'lby, Beverley ;"E. Homer; H. Beldon. Commended, O.Brown, 

 Regent's Park, London ; T. Kuowles, Aberdeen. 



Nuns.- First, Messrs. T. C. & E.Newbitt, Epworth. Second, B, Leason, 

 Driffield, Thii'd, F. Key. Highly Commended, J. Thackray, York; 

 F. Else. 



Dragons.— First. W. W^atson, Beverley. Second and Third. H. Yardley. 

 Ver\- Highly Commended, H. Yardley. Highly Commended, H. Simpson ; 

 T. Statters, Hull. 



Any other Variett.— First, G. Pickering. Driffield (Black Magpiee). 

 Second and Fourth, H. Yardley (Spots and Erunswicks). Thii-d, J. B. 

 Jessop, Hull (Black Magpies). Very Highly Commended, H. Yardley 

 (Isabels). Highly Commended, C. Cowburn, Leeds (Archangels); J. 

 Thackray (Spots). ,,,,-._, 



Selling Class.— First, T. Knowles. Second, H. Yardley. Third, 

 Messrs. T. C. & E. Newbitt, Epworth. Very Highly Commended, B, 

 Leason. Driffield. Highly Commended, R. Bellamy, Leven. Commended, 

 H. Yardley. 



Mr. Challoner, of Worksop, and Mr. Hewitt, of Birminj^ham, wero 

 the Judges of poultrj' ; and W. W. Boulton, Esq., of Beverley, offi- 

 ciated among the Pigeons. 



A TALKING BLACKBIRD. 



Although from early childhood a great admirer of living 

 birds, and having kept nearly every variety of song birds, an 

 incident has just come to my knowledge for which I was not 

 by any means prepared. A tenant of mine, one of a number 

 of cottagers iu my neighbourhood, reared a Blackbird last 

 season, and his wife has taught it to whistle throughout per- 

 fectly "Pop Goes the Weasel," " The Chimes," and it will also 

 call distinctly their dog by its name " Viper," and repeat a few 

 other short words. Starlings I have repeatedly myself taught 

 to whistle tunes and speak short sentences distinctly, but 

 Blackbirds I imagined incapable of such tuition as singing 

 tunes and talking. This particular Blackbird whistles in a 

 very distinct undertone similar to the piping Bullfinch or 

 the sound of a flageolet, and I should be glad to know from any 

 of your readers whether its performances are as really unique 

 as I suppose them to be.— Edward Hewitt, Spnrkbrook, 



Birmiiuiham. , , • .i. 



I>,S,„On my return from Woodhridge, on looking over tBe 

 BinninqhamVaihj Garr/^-, I found the circumstance detailed in 

 the paragraph enclosed ; and as this poor animal was so_ very 

 generally known for many years hack as the lirst-prize winner 

 in ever}' case in which ho competed, its reproduction would, I 

 think, be interesting to many of your readers— more especiaUy 

 as "King Dick" was the size of " Bomamie," the bull-dog, 

 mentioned in your Sheffield report as being suffocated dtmng 

 its transit to the Sheflield Show. The end of poor "King 

 Dick " forcibly brings to mind an epitaph on a huU-dog I once 

 read many vears back in a friend's garden. "Here hes 

 Invincible, a'noted bull-dog, but an uncompromising friend." 

 " His heart was honest, though his face belied it." 



*' Death of the Ch.vmpion Bi::li. Dog. — The weU-known 



