April 1, 1876. ] 



JOUKNAIi OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



2G5 



and four pens were highly commended. The Duck class was a 

 very creditable one with thirteen entries, Aylesburys were first 

 and Eouens second; and sis pens highly corumeuded. The 

 first-prize Turkeys were very good, and in capital condition. 



The PioEoNs %ver6 not large entries. The cup for the best 

 pen went to a very good Carrier, and the next best was a Barb 

 belonging to the same exhibitor. 



The R.iBBiTS were not first-class with one or two exceptions. 



The total number of entries was 165. 



SpimsH.— Cup, J. Craig, Bridgend, Frosterley. 12, T. Flintoff, Kuby, Stockton 

 on-Tfes. ^. , 



DoEKiNoa.— ITftitc.— I, Master J. Morley, Stanhope, i, H. Pease, Stanhope 

 Castle, he, W. Love, Wolaingham. Any other i'nrie^y.— Cup, J. Lodge, 

 Woodcroft. , „ ^ 



Game.— i;l(tc/fc.))?-cas(f(! ailti other Reds— I, M. Bainbridge, Stanhope. 2, J. 

 Gibbon. Jji;/ oOier rariefj/.—l, J. Gibson. Stanhope. 2, J. Fenwick. ftc, M. 

 Bainbridge; J. Rowell. Jiii/ coio»T,— Cocfcerel.— 1 and 2, M. Bainbridge. he, 

 G. B. Bell, Layton ; J. Sanderson (2). 



Hambdhohs.— Go!(Ji;i!-s;)(iii(7led —1. W. Simpson, Pyeclose. 2. W. Urwin, 

 Edmondbywra. Silvergpangted.—l, G. Barkas, Crawleyside. 2, J. Sanderson. 

 }ic, G, Barkas; H. Surtees, Kdmondbyers; J. Hutchmson. 



UiUBUROHB.— Golden-pencilled.— 1, A. G. Michel, Bishop Auckland. 2, G. 

 English, Frosterley. lie, G. KngUsh ; J. Foster, Hedleyhop-s, Towlaw. Sili'er- 

 liencWed.—l, J. Foster. 2, W. JopUng, Bridgend, Frosterley. he, W. Simpson ; 

 M. Ridley ; W. Jopling. 



PoLiNDs.— 1, J. Jackson, Hedleyhope, Towlaw. 2, W. D. Maddison, Sunni- 

 side. 



Game Bantams.— BI(ic!c-6recisfe<i or other Reds.—l and 2, W. Gray, Towlaw. 

 Any variety.— i, J. Hutchinson. 2 and he, W. Gray. 



Any Variety.— £f«;*w.—l, T. McKenzie. Stanhope. 2, T. Curry, Woodcroft. 

 lie, G. B. Bell : M. Kidley ; J. Fenwick ; J. Sanderson. 



AnyotherVahietv.— 1. J Littlefair. 2. J. Kowell. ftc, G. B. Bell. 



Docxa.- 1, W. Love. 2, W. Simpson. /ic.W. Love; G. B. Bell; J. Bright, 

 Bewley ; J. Buston, Wolsingbam (2) ; T, Briscoe, Frosterley. 



TuEKEYs.— 1, H. Pease. 2, J. Currey. he, W. Love, 

 PIGEONS. 



Caeriers.— Cup, W. Tavlor, Shotley Bridge. 2, S. & W. Coulson, 'Wolsmg- 

 ham. he, S. & W. Coulsoii : R. & T. Sanderson. 



Barb.— 1, W. Taylor. 2. J. Young, Bishop Auckland. 



Jacobins.- 1, G. Trucman. Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland. 2, J. \oung. 

 he, J. Best, 



Tdmblers.— 1, S. & W. Coulson. 2, R. & T. Sanderson. 



Any other Variety. — 1, J. Stephenson. 2, J. Young. 



RiDBiTB.- 1, M. M, Maughan, Bishop Auckland. 2, H. Pease, he, A. Friend 

 Bishop Auckland ; H. Thompson. 



Mr. James Dixon of Bradford was sole Judge. 



NATIONAL OENITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 



Noticing in your report of the Crystal Palace Bird Show some 

 reference to the " N. 0. A.," which I interpreted as meaning 

 the National Ornithological Association, may I ask what action 

 that Association intends taking as to the holding of an exhibition 

 or exhibitions ? 



Some time back I was solicited to become a member for which 

 I paid a sovereign, receiving in return a card of membership and 

 a code of rules, with the understanding that certain shows would 

 take place during the latter part of 1874. " Judging by points" 

 appeared to be the hobby-horse of the Association. Whether it 

 has made a full stop, or what is intended to be done, I am at a 

 loss to know. 



If no action is taken by those at the helm of the Association 

 as to the holding of the promised exhibitions, I shall most 

 certainly decline to continue my subscriptions. — One in the 

 Dark. 



FROSTEKLEY SHOW OF POULTEY, &c. 



The eleventh annual show of poultry was held at Frosterley 

 on the 27th ult. The Exhibition was in all respects a good one. 

 We may particularly notice the Game classes ; they were very 

 superior to most local shows. The number of entries in the 

 poultry and Pigeons was 212, and in dogs and butter 98. 



The cup for the best pen shown by an exhibitor iu the parish 

 of Frosterley was won by a very good pair of Dark Dorking hens. 

 The first-prize Spanish were very good, the others only medium. 

 The Andalusians (for which there was a class) were very poor, 

 all evidently a cross of the Spanish. Dorkings and Cochins 

 were fair birds. The Brahmas mustered thirteen entries, some 

 good birds in the class. The Sanihurghs were about an average 

 in quality. The first-prize Golden Polands were remarkably 

 good, the cock's crest the best we have seen for a long time. 



The Duck classes were well filled ; both the Bouen and 

 Aylesbury were very good, particularly the prize birds. Geese 

 and Turkeys large, and in good condition. 



The Pigeona had only four classes, consequently the entries 

 were not numerous ; but the prize birds were very good. 



Spanish.— Ctacfc.—l, J. Craig. 2, T. F. Newby, Stockton-on-Tees. 3, M. Amor. 

 Blue.—l. J. Craig. 2 and 3, J. Holrovd. 



DoBKlsos.— 1, T. F. Newby. 2, J. T. Proud, Bishop Auckland. S, T. Carrah, 

 Woodcroft. 



Cochin-Chinas.— 1, Mrs. Ridley, Peakfield. 2, G. B. Boll, Coldwell. 3, E. 

 Pickering, Bishopley. 



Brabma Pootras- 1, W. T. Whitfield. 2, F. E. GibsoB,MiddIeton Teasdale. 

 3, G. Atkinson, Etherley. 



GASlp-.-Blark-breaUed and other Eeds.—l, C. E. Morgan, Bishop Auckland. 

 2. M. Bainbridge, Stanhope. 8, W. Yonnghusband, Darlington. Any other 

 variety- — 1, J. GibHon. Sta'thope. 2. T. Home. 3. C. E. Morgan. Oocfc.— ],J. 

 Harker, Crook. 2, C. E. Morgan. 3, J. Gibson. Cockerel.— 1, W. Yonnghusband. 

 2, C. E. Morgan. 3. G. B. Bell. 



B&yiBVKOBB.— Golden-!<pajigled.—l, W. Simpson. 2, J. Potts, Sutmysidc, 



Tow Law. 3, J. Scott. Silver-npanoled.—l and 2, G. Barkasa, Crawleyside. 

 8, J. Sanderson, Stanhope. Ooldeji-peneilied.-l and 2, G. English, Frosterley. 

 3. T. Robson. ;sili'eri)cncited.—l,M. Ridley, Peakfield. 2, W. Jopling. S, W. 

 Simpson. 



Polands.— 1, 2, and 3, J. T. Proud. 



Game Bantams.- B/dC/c-iircasied and other Beds.— I and 2. W. Gray, Tow Law. 

 3, W. Canney, Bishop Auckland. Ami other varitty.—X and2, W. Gray. 3, 

 Rev. J. G. Milner, Hamsterlcy. Cock or Cockerel.— \ and 2, W. Gray. 



Game.- He7is.— 1. J. Barkass. 2, M. Baiubridge. 3, J. Waller. 



Hamburqub.— HcHS.— 1, H. Surtees, Edmondbyera. 2, W. S. Whitfield. 3, W, 

 Ridley, jun. _ 



Any otber Variety.— Hens.— l.T.Currah. 2.G. B.Bell. 3, J. T. Proud. 



Guinea FowLa~l, J. Gibson. 2, J.Ridley. 3, T. Currah. 



Docks.— Ji/'csiuri/.-l and 2, W. Canney. 3, T. Briscoe, Frosterley. Rouen. 

 —I, W. Canney. 2, Rev. J. G. Milnor. 3, R. Charlton. Any other variety.— 

 1 and 2, Rev. J. G. Milner. 3. W. Canney. 



Gander.— 1, W. Love. 2, T. V. Johnson. 3. J. Vickers. 



TuEKEYs.-l, Miss Proud. 2, U. Pease. 3,J. Currah. 



PioEONS.- Carriers.— 1, S. & W. Coulson, Redgate. 2, R. & T. Sanderson, 

 Stanhope. Barhs.—\ and 2, J. Young, Bishop Auckland Jacohins.—l and 2, 

 J.Young. .jHj/ other i;arie(y.—l, S & W. Coulson. 2, J.Young. 



Mr. James Dixon, Bradford, acted as Judge. 



A FRAGMENT ABOUT POUTERS. 



GERALD.^The fish seem to have left off feeding, Walter, for 

 I have not had a rise for some time. Come, let us sit down 

 beneath the shade of this tree, and see what Margery's basket 

 contains. 



Walter. ^ — Here are seven good speckled trout, and more to 

 follow I hope. We will rest awhile and pay our respects to 

 that great pie, drink a cup, and smoke a pipe thereafter. _ 



Gerald. — How does the young blue get on, Walter 1 It is three 

 weeks old now, and you will see how its markings are. 



Walter. — It will be well pinioned on each wing and clean 

 on the limbs, I think ; but I fear for the bib, aa the highest 

 feathers on the breast are still white. How do your young red 

 pair thrive ? 



Gerald. — The biggest and best marked is, I fear, to be off- 

 colour, for the tips of its feathers are lighter than I like. "The 

 other with the bishop wing is sound in colour, and will, I think, 

 moult into a blood red. 



Walter. — My black hen laid last night; but the yellows have 

 broken their eggs again. I had uo change for them; but the 

 next time I shall shift their eggs about till hatching time should 

 I not have a pair of feeders lay within a day or two. The yellow 

 cock is a heavy sitter, and works his nest down to the bare 

 boards. Let me hear the lines you say you composed, Gerald ; 

 but wait till I fill and light my pipe. 



GEE.U.D. — The lines are of little account, Walter ; but I will 

 let you hear them as you wish. I found an old work at the stall 

 of a dealer in old books the other day, that treats of fancy 

 Pigeons, and after reading it by the fire X fell a-musing over my 

 pipe, and wrote down the following, which I shall call 

 the four pouting pigeons. 



First comes the yellow Pouting cock. 



Clad in his suit of golden- coloured huo 



And markings all complete, that you 



Might scarcely pick a fault iu him throughout. 



Bright as an orange and as round, his crop 



Is marked with crescent ending tine at points. 



Nor reaching to his eyes to blur their tire. 



Kest see the red, with hollow taper back. 



And well-set limbs incliuiug at the bock, 



His downy feathers littiug like a sock. 



Nor long toe feathers doth he any lack. 



Red as the flowing heait blood of the slain 



His jerkin is. But, look 1 here comes the black. 



So burnished in the sunli^'ht doth he seem, 



Kather than black, to be of glossy green. 



Hose-pinioned on each wing, sharp cut below. 



No blaze face nor foul thigh marks doth he show. 



But yet the blue, of hue like summer sky. 



And markings white, like fleecy clouds thereby. 



His purple neck, and win^; bars all of jet; 



Across his tail a darker band is set. 



Tight-shouldered, narrow-girthed, flights broad and long, 



He walks with stately mein, nor rumps along. 



Neither too thin iu limb, nor yet too rough. 



His joints are not too straight, but bent enough. 



For beauty, stylish shape, and symmetry. 



Though last he comes, the king of all is he. 



— Pouter on the Brain. 



OWL PIGEONS AND DRAGOONS. 



I T.iKE up my pen with much pleasure to reply to Mr. J. C. 

 Lyell and "Bubo." I say with much pleasure, because both 

 writers have a great regard, Mr. Lyeil particularly, for the 

 authority of the old writers on Pigeons — the, so to speak, 

 " fathers of the fancy." 



Pigeon-culture is not a science of yesterday, for its great 

 authority dates back to 1735 ; and though I hail every true im- 

 provement with pleasure, yet we must always advance on the 

 old lines. To illustrate my meaning by an instance of the 

 opposite character I take a pert and perky letter which appeared 

 recently in a contemporary on the Dragoon. The writer states 



