Jane S4, 1875. ] 



JOURNAL OP HOBTI0UL1U8E AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



503 



The organisation of the Pjgeon is that of all birds in fieneral, 

 and in the natural order it forms the connection between 

 Swallows and the gallinaceous tribe. It holds the first by its 

 Bustaiued flight, and the second by the fiir-ility with which it 

 walks upon the earth. As to the organs of sense, one does not 

 observa an essential ditft^rence between the Piseou and other 

 birds in general. The judgment and taste are with it little 

 developed, and the same with sense of smell; but as to the hear- 

 ing and sight, it is greatly favoured. However, does the perfec- 

 tion of its sight suiiice of itself to explain the faculty of correctly 

 directing its flight 1 In the examination of this last question 

 he strives first to determine to what height the Pigeon takes its 

 flight when set at liberty in a distant location, afterwards to 

 discover if the objects are distinctly seen through the vapours 

 that arise from the earth. Thirdly, the question is how it can 

 discover often from a distance of 200 or 300 leagues, and if the 

 curvature of the earth does not perhaps raise a barrier to the 

 sight of a point to be obtained. It is true that a Pigeon liberated 

 at some distant point rises from a general to a sufficiently 

 greater height, and it is probable that it thus maintains itself 

 in the course of its voyage. It is also probable that this height 

 does not exceed 1000 feet, from thence what sight unrolls to 

 its view ? It results from the reasoning of the author (based 

 upon the ascension of Mont Blanc), that supposing the Pigeon 

 was able to elevate itself to 4810 metres, and that its sight 

 equals that of man's aided by the best optical instruments, its 

 view in a given direction does not exceed 5'2 leagues and 4 kilo- 

 metres; but now we see that it does not attain even a fourth 

 part of that altitude. Then it has for this distance much 

 to overcome with the curvature of the earth, which we men- 

 tioned before as an obstacle to the sight, and it has again the 

 clouds, the rain, (fee , all causes which obscure the atmosphere. 

 Therefore in the presence of these considerations we are sepa- 

 rated from the suppositions that the sight alone directs the 

 travelling Pigeon. 



Here presents itself an objection, which is that those Pigeons 

 before being transported to considerable distances have already 

 made short flights, and that thus they are able very well, from 

 point to point, to direct themselves by sight towards the goal 

 to be reached. This objection fails with those Pigeons which 

 bave not performed the trial of some leagues, but are taken at 

 once to points more distant, and from thence returned. On the 

 other hand, we cannot admit that the Pigeon follows always 

 the same route, considering that account must be taken of the 

 influence of the wind on Pigeons the same as migratory birds.- — 

 (American Fanciers' Journal.) 



THE BOSTON POULTRY EXHIBITION. 



A OBEAT deal of care and attention has been displayed by the 

 Boston Committee in the arrangement of this year's Show. The 

 tent was one of the best we ever saw, and the pens were bo 

 placed that an equality of light was enjoyed by every specimen. 

 Every possible precaution was made against accidents of any 

 kind, and no person under any pretence whatever was admitted 

 during the time the Judges were making their awards. 



Messrs. Simpson Sc Dodds and Mr. Crabtree had it all their own 

 way in the Grey Dorl ings, with very high-class birds. In Cochin 

 cocks the cup-winner was a magnificent White shown by Mr. 

 Whitworth, who also won first with a hen of the same colour. 

 Light Brahtnas were very good, but some of them were sun- 

 burnt. Dark Brahmas were unusually good in colour and also 

 in feather for the season of the year, the pencilling of most of 

 the hens being perfection itself. In so small a collection as the 

 one at Boston we never remember seeing so much high quality 

 in Hajnhurghs, the Spangled, both Gold and Silver, being shown 

 in the greatest condition. Of the Pencilled birds, the Golden 

 were unquestionably the most perfect. The Game classes 

 afforded a perfect treat to visitors, as some of the best strains 

 were entered, Mr. Fletcher winning the cup with a most valu- 

 able Black Red, Mr. Martin running very close with a Brown 

 Eed as second. Mr. Walton won first also with a truly hard- 

 feathered Red Pile. The Bantayns were strong in entries, and 

 to a lovely Silver-laced Sebright hen the cup was awarded. 

 Mr. Leno was the winner of this premium. There were separate 

 classes for Houdans and Cr<:ve-Co'urs, and the cup for these 

 breeds was won by the latter variety, the entries being both 

 heavy and uniformly good. The Spanish classes were alone 

 worth the trouble of a long journey by any amateur. Both the 

 winning cocks were first-class birds, which did much credit 

 to Mr. Newbitt's management, for they were in excellent 

 plumage. The hens were a large class, and an equality of con- 

 dition marked this class generally. 



A lovely summer day ensured a large attendance, and no 

 doubt exists that this will prove itself one of the most suocessfal 

 Shows ever held in Boston. 



DoEKiNoa.— CocA:.— 1, Simpson & Dodds 2, W. H. Crabtree. Hen— I, W. H. 

 Crabtree. 2, Simpaon 4 Dodas. /te. W H. Crabtree ; W. Morfitt. 



CoOBisa.— Cock.— 1 and Cap, vv. Whitworth. jun. 2, W. H. Crabtree 'le, H. 

 Tomlinson. c,C. Wilson; E. Walatow. Zfen.— l.W. Wbltworlh, jun. ^,W. H. 

 Orabtree. Ac, G. Wilson H. Tomlinson 



BnAHMis.— ii!7'ii.— Cocfc.-I, W. H. Crabtree. 2, P. Haines, fee. W. Harvey, 

 c, C. Wilson. Hni —1, J. Long. 2, Mrs Peet. he, P. Haines, c. W. Thorn. 



I! Aiisiss.— Bar/i —Cock —I, W. H. Crabtree. 2, Rev, J. D. Pcake. /ic J. F. 

 Smith. Heii—1 and 2, Rev. J. D. Peako. lie, W. H Crabtree ; J. F. Smith. 



HfL^BVtiOii'i.—GoldenBpangled.-Cock.—l and Cup.T. Blakemnn. 2, J. Lonff. 

 he, H. Pickles. Hen.— 1, T. Blakeman. 2, W. Driver, he, W Ticknor ; J. 



HsMBoaOHS.— GoW«l-J)enci»e<i,— Cocfc— 1, W. Tickner. 2, W. Driver, he, 

 J. Lock- Hen.—], C. Judson. 2, Smith & Taylor. Itc, E. Ayre; — Driver. 

 e, — Snell. 



tiAMiii-RonB.—SUv€r-iii)aiio^d.—Coek.—l, H. Pickles. 2, J. Long. Een.—l, J. 

 Lone. 2, H. Pickles. ..,. „ 



HAMUURoni.-SJiDer-jjenctUed.— Cock.— I, H. Pickles. 2, No competition. Hen. 

 — 1, H. Pickles. 2, No competition. 



Game.— Biacfc or Brown-hrcoited Bcds.—Coek.—l and Cap, J. Fletcher. 2, 

 n. E. Martin, r/ic, J. Jeken. Hen.— 1, J. Fletcher. 2, H. K. Martin, he,}, 

 Jeken ; J. F. Walton ; R. Whitton. „ _ 



Hams— Any other variety.— Voek.—l, J. F. Walton. 2, J. Fletcher, he, H. E. 

 Martin; W.Uooae. Hpii.— I. H. E.Martin. 2, P. H. Davies, jun. )ic,C. Wilson; 

 E. Wiowood. e, J. R. Fletcher. 



(tame Bantams.- B^lefc or Brown breasted lied.^ — Cocfc.— 1, E. Walton. 2, R. 

 Hartley, fte, J. R. Fletcher; Dr. W. W. Saul. Hen.- 1, J. R. Hetcher. 2, T. 

 Sharpies, he, W. Storr, Jan. ; E. Walton. 



Bantams.— ^uy other variety,— Cock.— I, M Leno. 2, J. R. Fletcher, he, A. 

 Storrar; A. & W. H. Silvester; E. Walton. H«n.—l and Cup, M. Leno. 2, E. 

 Walton, he. J. R. Fletcher ; A. & W. H. Silvester. 



HOL'DANS.— C'oc*. -1. (J. W. Hibbort. 2, W. Whitworth, jun. Ben— I, E. 

 Conev. 2,W.DriEg he. G. W. Hibbert ; J. W. Atkin; E.Coney; W.H. Crewe ; 

 S. W. Thomas, c, \V. Dring. 



Cheve-Cceobs.— Cocfc— 1 and Cup, W. Cutlack. 2, G. W. Hibbert. /ic.W. H. 

 Crabtree. e, H. C. Simmonds; J. J. Maiden. Hen.— 1, W. Cutlaok. 2, E. 

 Walton, he, G. W. Hibbert ; W. H. Crabtree. c, Mrs. H. C. Simmonds ; W. 

 Dring: J. J. Maiden. _ „ „ 



SPANisH.-E/ac*:.- Coct.- Can, 1, and 2. E. Newbitt. Hen.— 1, E. Brown. 2, 

 E. Winwood. vlic, W. Woodhouse; R. Newbitt. he, Mrs. M. A. Diion ; J. F. 

 Dixon; K. Newbitt, c, J. Parker. . ,„ 



Ant othee Vabiety.— Coc/t.— 1, T. A. Wright (Black Hamburgh) 2. A. cK W. 

 H. Silvester (Polish), he, G. W. Boothby (Golden Poland); J. Long (Black 

 Hamburgh); — Harvey. Hen —1. E. Walton. 2. J Long, he, A. & W. H. Sil- 

 vester (Polish): R. Newbitt; G. W. Boothby (Golden Poland). 



Local Class —1, J. Freemantle (Buff Cochins). 2, — Pearson (Golden Po- 

 lands), 'je, C. Brown (Buff Cochin), c, T. Horry (Dark Brahma); J. Willey, 

 (Houdans) ;— Marriott (Dark Bantam). 



Duc«s.—^i/!e»))uri/.—l, Mrs. Goose. 2, T. Horry. Bouen.— 1, W. Bjgott. 9, 

 R. Fulton. 



PIGEONS. 



Caeeieeb — B!aclfc.-Cocfc.-Cup, 1, and 3, R. Fulton. 2, H. Yardley. he, P. E. 

 Spencer. Hen. -1 and 2, W. G. Hammock. 3 and )ic, R. Fulton, tide, H. Yard- 

 ley, e, H. Marshall. „ , 



Caekiers— iliin.- Cocft — 1. W. G. Hammock. 2 and S, E. Fnlton. Hen.—l, 

 W. G. Hammock. 2 and 3, R. Fulton, he, P. R. Spencer. 



Caerieeb.— Biuc.— Cock— 1. W. Harvey. 2, W. G. Hammock. 3, H. B, 

 Matsey. c, H. Yardlev. Hen —1 and 2, W. G. Hammock. 



ToMBLEa3.—.iliniond.— Cock or Hen.—l, Cup, and he, R. Fulton. 2, H. Yard- 

 ley. 3, W. G. Hammock. Short-faeed Balds.— Coek or Hen.—l, 2, and S. W. 

 Woodhouse. /ic, G. M.irling. Short-faced flcanf.i.-Cock or Hen.— 1 and 2, W. 

 Woodhouse. 8, R. Fulton. Any otlier variety.— Coek or Hen —1 and 2, A. & W. 

 H.Silvester. 3. W. G. Hammock, /ic, W. G. Hammock; R. Fulton. 



Pouters— ir/u7e.— Cock i.r Hen. -1 and Cup. L. Watkin. 2, H.Pratt. 8, B. 

 Fulton, he, W. Harvey ; L. Watkin. e, P. R. Spencer. Any eotonr.—Cock or 

 Uen.-l, H. Pratt. 2, C. Martin. 3, R. Fulton. 



BASns,- Cock or Ben.—l, H. Yardley. 2. H. B. Massey. 8, R. Fulton, he, C. 

 Norman ; E. Fulton. 



TCEBiTs.-Cock or Hen.—l and 3, E. Fulton. 2, H. Yardley. c, T. S. Stephenson. 



Jacobins- Cock or Hen— 1. W. Harvey. 2, C. Martin. 8, W. Woodhouse. 

 /tc. W. Woodhouse : R. F'ulton. c, R.Fulton. 



Fantails.— Cock or Ben.-l, J. Walker. 2, J. F. Loversidge. 8, E. Fulton, 

 c, J. Walker; T. S. Stephenson. 



Deagoons.— Cock or Hen —I.E. Woods. 2, F.Graham. 8, E. Fulton. )ic, B. 

 Eylatt; H. Yardley. „ „.„ .. , ._ 



ANTWEEPS.-Cock or Hen.— 1, H. Yardley. 2 and 3, C. W. Billett. lie, W. 



ANY OTUEB VAErETT.— Coek OT Hcn.-l, 2, and vhe, E. Fulton (Trumpeter, 

 Owl. and Turbit) 3. W. Harvey, he, A. & W. H. Silvester (2); H. Yardley. 

 c, W. J. Shepherd (Black Nun). , ,„ ,. , 



Selling class.- 1, W. Greenfteld (Black Carriers). 2, C. Norman (Barbs). 

 3, J. T. Allen (Black Barbs). 



Mr. Edwd. Hewitt was the Judge for poultry, and Mr. Massy 

 for Pigeons. 



.BEE FEEDING; or, SUGAK-A.ND-WATER 

 VERSUS HONEY. 



I HAD no idea when I wrote those few lines on the above 

 subject that I should be handed over to the old veteran 

 Pettigrew to be stung with his pen. However, I am not much 

 hurt, for, like the bees, if they do sting now and then, we reap 

 advantage from them ; so I have from his remarks. 



No doubt feeding is profitable at times, but with me I never 

 began with bees for profit. I kept them because I liked to see 

 them ; I admire their industry. I never fed them as a rule, nor 

 did I ever destroy them. I contented myself with a little honey 

 from supers, but lately 1 have been forced as it were to read 

 more about them, and seeing how much interest is taken in 

 bees by so many, and the mania for new-fashioned hives, I 

 have been a little drawn out. But when I read of sugar being 

 made into honey I felt taken aback, and with Mr. Pettigrew's 

 explanation I am no more satisfied than yon can guard against 

 foul play in competing for prizes, except, of course, it is admitted 

 that any means may be used to produce results. 



Mr. Pettigrew says, " Syrnp made of sugar and water cannot 

 be converted into honey." Naturally, perhaps, it cannot; bat 

 if bees are stuffed with it at all times what becomes of it ? It 

 is true he does say something of converting sweets into combs 

 for breeding in ; but the question is. Do they never store the 

 syrup away with the honey ? 



I can plainly see that those who intend competing for pnzes 

 must work at feeding, and that to a very great extent if they 

 hope to win. 



