132 



journaij op hobtiodltube and oottaqb qardeneb. 



[ Febroaiy 11, 1875. 



birds, but the cock coarser than we like, and far larger than the 

 hen. The second went to Bine Owls, called English, but evi- 

 dently a cross between English and African, cr at least with 

 much African blood; and to a pair of Black Shell-crested 

 Turbits, not nearly so good as an unnoticed pair of the same 

 variety. The third were a pretty pair of Blue Priests, and a 

 pair of "White foreign Owls ; why entered as Jacobins we do not 

 Know. This growing habit of sending birds other than those 

 entered ia most inconvenient for absent exhibitors, and most 

 misleading to novices. We think that birds so sent should be 

 disqualified after due announcement cf this regulation in the 

 schedule. Mr. Baker, who won the point cup, seemed deter- 

 mined not to be bpaten, and sent many lovely pairs to the Variety 

 class, including "White Jacobins and Turbits, nearly all wrongly 

 entered in the catalogue. A rich-coloured pair of Archangels, 

 evidently two cocks, were properly passed over. The Selling 

 class was not remarkable; a soft pair of Ice were first, a bargain 

 for some one ; fair Blue Priests and Nuns also in the list. 



The sUver cup of five guineas for the greatest number of points 

 in Claeses 17 to 30 was awarded to Mr. J. Adams ; and the 

 Mayor's cup, value i£3 3s., to Messrs. G. & J. Mackley. 



A show cf Cage Birds is always attractive to the general 

 public, to ladies in particular, and that at Beading seemed so 

 especiaUy, from the number of local exhibitors. How wonder- 

 ful is the colour of Canaries dieted on the new regime ! A new- 

 fashioned Canary among the old is like an orange among lemons. 



Belgians were poorly represented, but every variety of English 

 Canary was there in force. The Mules were particularly hand- 

 some, the first-prize light-coloured one of the prettiest of 

 the kind we ever saw. Goldfinches and Linnets filled large 

 claBses — happy little birds, which looked as if they had never 

 known and never wished for more space than their cages gave. 

 The class for Any other variety of British birds was most in- 

 teresting ; Magpies, Jackdaws, Owls, Brambleflnches, Blackbirds, 

 and others were there. Some blue Titmice in a quaint artistic 

 habitation of cork were scarcely visible for the crowd round 

 them. In Parrots the first prize went to a marvel of loquacity ; 

 Bome seventy of the bird's sayings were written down. A grand 

 white Cockatoo of the venerable age of thirty-six carried all 

 before it in the foreign Variety class ; and Mrs. Holmes showed 

 a Mocking Bird, to which an extra prize was given, in lovely 

 plumage, but provokingly silent, in spite of our endeavours to 

 excite him. A Parakeet, exhibited by Mrs. Monck, of Coley Park, 

 Eeading, much amused the visitors by piping " Merrily Danced 

 the Quaker's Wife." 



All the birds were so arranged as to be seen with comfort 

 and to advantage. "We hope to have another and equally plea- 

 sant day at Beading Show next year. 



The following are the awards ; — 



Cabbjebs.— Cock.— 1 and 2. K. Fiilton, London. 3, H. Yardley. Birmingham ; 

 J. Janes, Bath. /ic. H. Yardley; R. Pavze, jun.. Wood Green (2); J. James; 

 J. Baker, Kew Bridge (2). c, E. C. Stretch, Ormsliirk 12) ; J. James ; J Baker. 

 Ben.—\ and 2, R. Fulton. 3, J. James he, H. Yardley ; K. Payze, Jan. ; J. 

 James (2). c. R Payze ; J. James : H. Yardley. 



Dbiooons. — Coc«.-. - 1, PoiteU & Crane, Dxtord. 2, H. Yardley. 3, A. 

 McEenzie. he, H. Yardley ; W. E. Pratt, Oxford ; C. A. Pearson, Liverpool, c, 

 (i. Packham. Exeter; R.' Fulton; A. WcKenzie. Liverpool: W. V. & J. M. 

 Longe, Ipswich ; J. Baker. Hen.— I, Powell i- Crane. 2, W. V. & J. M. Looge. 

 3, R. Fulton, he, H. Yardley (2) : A. McKenzie ; E. Currant, Ttmbridge Wells ; 

 J. Baker, c, H. \V. Wren, Lowestoft ; J. Baker. 



Amweeps.— Cock.— 1. A. R. Barrel, Cambridge. 2. Scragg,S:Valters. Oxford; 

 W. R. Pratt. ;'. W. G. Flanagan, Reading: A. T. Withers. Reading, he, H. W. 

 Weaving, Oxford: F. P. BuUey, Oxford; S. L. B. bmtth. Sydenham: W. G. 

 Flanagan; C. G. Butler, F.eaQing(2); C. H. Buckland, Reading; Powell and 

 Crane, c, H. W Weaving : H. Yardley ; F. P. BuUey ; C. G. Butler. Ben —1, 

 J. Taylor, Reading. 2. W. R Pratt ; W. Ellis, Leeds. 3. H M. Turner, Oxford. 

 he, C. W. Billfrtt, Southampton ; W. Norria, Newbury; C. H. Buckland : G. P. 

 Palmer, Caversham. c, F. G. Russell, Blackheath; S. L. B. Smith [:); A. R. 

 Barrel : T. Holmes, Lower Sydenham ; E. C. Stretch (2) ; W. G. Flanagan ; C. 

 G. Butler. 



PoOTEBS.—l and 2, R. Fulton. 3, J. Baker. Ju;, H. Yardley ; J. Baker. 



TcMHLEF8.-SJior!/ace<i.— 1 and c, J. Baker. 2, E. Fulton. 3, H. Yardley. 

 he. H. Yardley ; G. Packham ; R. Fulton ; W. E. Pratt : J Baker. 



Fantails. — 1, 3, and c. J. Baker. 2, J. F. Loversidge, Newark, he, H. 

 Yardley ; J. F. Loversidge ; O. E. Creswell, Early Wood, Bagbhot : J. Baker. 



ThUUPETEBS.— 1 and 2, R. Fulton. 3, J. Baker, c, W. G. Flanagan; J. 

 Baker. 



Magpies.— 1, T. Homes. 2, G. J. Dewey, Gloucester. 3, J. Baker, he, J. T. 

 Hincks, Leicester; J.Baker, c, W. Tedd, Erdington (2); Powell & Crane; F. 

 S. Barnard. 



Local Class.— 1, C. G. Butler (Antwerps). 2, J. Roberts, Reading (Ant- 

 werps). 3, Mrs. Blagrave, Reading (Black Swallow&). 



Any other Vapietv.— 1, J. Baker (Barbs). 2. H. W. Weaving (Blue English 

 Owls); J. Baker (Turbits!. 3, G. Packham (Priests); J. Baker (Jac^-bins). he, 

 H. Yardley (Rarbs) (2); O. F.. Cresswell (Jacobins); J. Baker (Jacobms and 

 Nuns): R. Wilkinson. Guildford (Archangels), f, F. P. BuUey (Silver Owls); 

 L. LawBon, Preston (2); J. B- Hicks, London (Pigmy Pouters); J. Baker 

 (Foreign Owle). 



Seliiko Class.- 1, H. Yardley (Toys) 2, W. Morris, Ross ; J. Baker. 8, H. 

 Yardley (Toys); G. Packham (Nuns), he, F. B. Cable. Famborough (Nuns); 

 W. H. Edwardt, (White Dragixms); F. Skey, Reading (Starling); T. Kinchin, 

 Reading (Baldhfads): G. P Palmer (Antwerpb): C. Etheridge, Heading (Mag- 

 pies), c, B. W. Weaving (Antwerps); E. A. Thornton, Hull (Tumblers). 



Special Flying CVKSs.—Huming Anlwerpi.— Cocke.— \&nd.'l,M.W. ('rosse, 

 Kensington, London. 8, O. P. Palmer, lie. C. C. Butler (2); W. E. Butler (2); 

 G. GiUingham, Reading e, F. G. Harris, Newbury; C. G. Butler; H. Dibley, 

 Beading. Hen.— 1, H. W. iTosse. 2. T. T. Cooper, Swallowaold, Reading. 3 

 and c, c. G. Butler, he, C. G. Butler ; W. E. Butler, Reading. 



CANARIES. 



Belolan.— Clear. Ticked, or Variegated —2 and 3, R. Hawman. Middies- 

 borough. Ctear, Ticked or Variegated Buff.— 2 aad 3. J. W. Savage, Guildford. 



Norwich.— C'tcar Yelloic.—l and 3. J. Alhersuch & Son, Coventry. 2. J. 

 Adams, Coventry. )i<*, J. Athersuch & Son ; J. Adams (2). c. G. & J. Mackley, 

 Norwich (2); Moore d: "Wynne, Soutbampton; G. Cox, Northampton. Cteat 



Buff—1, W. Pratt, Leicester. 2, J. Athersuch & Son. 3, J. Adams, he, J. 

 Athersuch & Son ; J. Adams ; G. & J. Mackley. 



Norwich.- /;;(i(./t(y-»iarA:crf Yellow.— i. Brown & Gayton, Northampton. 2 and 

 R. G. ,S£ J. Mackley. he, G. & J. Mackley: Moore & Wvnne. c, J. Adams (2). 

 Evenly-marked Buff.—l and 2, J. Athersuch & Son. 3, J. Adams, he, J. Ather> 

 such it .'ion : J. Adams (21 ; G. & J. Mackley. 



Norwich.— Ticfccti or Unevenly-marked Yellow.— 1, 2, and 3, J. Athersuch and 

 Son. /ic. J. AddiUB (3). c, G. & J. Mackley. Ticked or Unevenly- marked Buff, 

 — 1, 2. and 3, J. Adams, he, J. Athersuch & Son (i). c. G. & J. Mackley (2). 



Norwich.— CrMfeti Yellow.— i,i, and 3, G. i J. Mackley. Created Buff.—l 

 and 2, G & J. Mackley. 3, Martin & GrilUn, Southampton, he, .1. Moffatt, 

 Bethnal Green, London; R. Hawman : G. &J. Mackley; Moore & Wynne, c, 

 Martin & Griffin : S. Stratford, Northampton. 



l^iz^RDS.—(TOldeii^spangled.—l, 2, and 3, T. Fairbraas. Canterbury, he, J. 

 Athersuch & Son; W. Badcock, Reading; T. Fairbrass. c, J. Athersuch and 

 Son : T. Fairbrass (2). Silver-spaiufled.—\, 2, and 3, T. Fairbrass. he, S. 

 Bunting, Derby ; T. Fairbrass (3). c, G. & J. Mackley; S. Bunting; T. Fair- 



CiNNAiioNS.- Jorn/HC- 1, J. Adams. 2. J. Athersuch & Son. 3, G. F. Dunn, 

 Basingstoke, he, J. Adams (2|; C. H. Legg, Derby, c, W. Weston, Warding- 

 ton. ilfeali/.— 1 and 2, .1. Adams. 3, G. & J. Mackley. c, J. Adams (3); G. and 

 J. Mackley ; C. H. Legg. 



Vablegated Mdles.— 1, G. & J. Mackley. 2, R. Hawman. he, G. & J. 

 MacKley; J. Moore, Boston, c, J. Adams; S. Banting. Dark.—l and 2, R. 

 Hawman. he, G. 4 J. Mackley; S. Bunting; Moore & Wynne, c, J. Adams; 

 C. H. Legg. 



Six Canaries in One Cage.— 1 and he, J. Adams. 2 and 3, Q. & J. Mackley, 

 c, C. H. Legg. 



Selling Class.- 1, G. Cox 2, J. Adams (Norwich). 8, G. & J. Mackley 

 (Norwich). Extra 3, C. H. Legg (Variegated Cinnamon and Broken-capped 

 Silver Lizard), he. J. Adams (Norwich) ; R. Hawman (Jonque Cinnamon); G. 

 and J. Mackley (Norwich): S. Bunting (Goldtioch Mule); R. Bishop: C. H. 

 Legg (Cinnamon); L. Williams, Reading (Golden Lizard), c, G. & J. Mackley 

 (Norwich): H. Pyke, Reading (Green Pied). 



Local Class.— 1, J, Weston (Yellow Norwich). 2, F. J. Crapp, Reading. 

 3. T. Fife, Reading (Clear Yellow Norwich) he, H. Gregory, Reading (Yellow 

 Belgian); H. Pyke (Ticked Yellow Norwich): T.Rogers, Reading (Variegated 

 Yellow); F.J. Crapp (Yellow Norwich) (2); L. Williams (Ticked Yellow), c, 

 T. Pullen, Reading (Green); T.Fife (Norwich) (2); F.J. Crapp (Ticked Yellow). 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



Goldfinch.- 1, S. Banting. 2, C. H. Legg. 3, E. Cawston, Caversham. 

 he, H. Gregory; R. Hawman; G. Cox. c, E. Cawston; J. C. Bamber, 

 Preston (2'. 



Brown Linnets.- 1, R. Hawman. 2, G. & J. Mackley. he, J. Adams, c, S. 

 Bunting. 



Any other Vaeiett.— I,G. 4 J. Mackley (Blackbird). 2, M. Butler. Readmg 

 (Magpie). 3, J. Robinson, Reading (Thrush): J C. Bamber (Bullflnch). 

 Extra. W. Nobbs, Reaoing (Skvlark) he, F. Wheatley, Readmg (Thrush); 

 Mias B. Cole, Eeading (Blackbird): W. Nobbs (Thrush): T. Ashton, Reading 

 (Thrush); E. Sahnon, Eeading (Skylark); S. Bunting; W. Bedford, Readmg 

 (Owls) : G. Cos. c, W. Doichester, Reading (Bullfinch) ; Miss M. A. Robineoa 

 (Thrush). 



FOREIGN BIRDS. 



Parrots.- 1, W. Exall, Reading. 2, Miss A. Brooke. 3 and c, G. & J. Mackley. 

 ;ic. M. Butler; Mrs. Monck, Reading; Mrs. M. A. Chapman, Reading; Mrs. 

 Giles, Reading; Mrs. E. Silver, Reading. 



Any V^biety.- 1, J. Whatley (Cockatoo). 2, S. Bunting (King Parrot). 3, Mrs. 

 Monck (Parakeets). Extra. Mrs. J. T. Holmes, Bath (Mocking Bird), he, Mrs. 

 J. T. Holmes (Cockatoo): Miss M. A. Robinson (Rmg-necked Parakeet), e, G. 

 Chancellor, Rpading (Budgerigars); G, & J Mackley (Parakeets and Java 

 Sparrows); Miss M. A. Robinson (Rose-crested Cockatoo); L. Williams 

 (Australian). 



Judges. — Pigeons : Mr. Harrison "Weir. Canaries : Mr. A. 

 "Wilmore. 



DRONES. 



Drone bees do seem very worthless stupid creatures, and never 

 get a good name from anybody. They are graceless, mannerles, 

 and shiftless. Drones of all lands bear characters which are not 

 inviting and attractive. Drone bees are lazy idle creatures 

 beyond compare. Though they are stronger in build and body 

 than either queens or working bees, they will die of want 

 rather than work. Born in scenes of great activity and industry, 

 and amongst communities of self-sacrificing workers, drones 

 seem quite unaffected and uninfluenced by example, and remain 

 apathetic and insensible to all around them but food and sun- 

 shine. They do seem to enjoy a warm noon-day excursion. In- 

 dolence is the great characteristic of drone bees. Having no 

 weapons of defence they are naturally cowardly and helpless. 

 They are very unfortunate creatures, and no right-minded per- 

 son can study their history without feeling a touch of commiser- 

 ation for them. To the naturalist the history of drones is moat 

 interesting. The immediate cause of their sex is shrouded in 

 mystery, and their end is tragical to a degree. The queen lays 

 both male and female eggs. The male eggs hatch into drones 

 only, whether set in drone or worker cells, and female eggs 

 hatch into workers, but can be converted into queens in royal 

 cells. Many writers tell us that the eggs laid by a queen are 

 differently treated in passing through the oviduct, that all eggs 

 touched by the contents of the spermatheca become female, and 

 that those which pass untouched are male — in a word, that all 

 are male till some become femalised in passing the duct of the 

 spermatheca. "Whether this is a fact or a mere hypothesis we 

 are unable to say ; but in either case it is wonderfully myste- 

 rious. If it is a fact, the sex of drones remains unchanged from 

 the formation of the eggs, while the sex and superiority of 

 workers are determined by the application of the contents of 

 the spermatheca in the body of the queen. Drones, then, are 

 drones from deprivation before the eggs are laid. 



Male eggs are generally deposited in drone cells. Is it not 

 wonderful how queen bees know when they are going to deposit 

 male and female e.'jgs ? And if they do not know this, is it not 

 equally wonderfulthat the working bees know how to difltinguish 

 the male from the female eggs after they are laid ? 



In trying to fathom this great mystery a writer on the sub- 



