November 12, 1871. ] 



JOUBNAL OF HOETICDLTDBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



437 



ing every day to the nest, it mnst be for the benefit of the 

 chicken, and therefore it should be imitated. When the chickens 

 chip the egfJT, the hen sits lightly, and lets the little prisoners 

 extricate themselves, if they are, aa they ought to be, strong 

 enough. She never, as it has been asserted, attempts to help 

 them. Moreover, her instincts no doubt tell her, that if a 

 chicken cannot escape, it is not strong enough to live when 

 assisted. In this incubator a chamber is provided in which the 

 egg is placed when chipped, or immediately before chipping, and 

 the chicken then comes out in freedom. 



The hen covers the chickens for some weeks under her breast 

 and wings. To imitate this most essential comfort two 

 " mothers " are provided, heated by the cistern, and the chickens 

 are placed under them as soon as dry. The mothers must be 

 supplied with cotton wool or flannel for the chickens to nestle 

 in, and with the warmth against their backs they are quite 

 contented. 



spring a little too much, and the hen rather scanty on feet- 

 feather ; the second a little better in feet-feather, and the cock's 

 comb but somewhat yellow and cloudy. Many other pens came 

 very close for the prizes. 



Game were next, but in Black-breasted Reds we found many 

 duck-footed birds, and some shamefully trimmed about th'j face. 

 When will exhibitors learn that nothing spoils a hen like trim- 

 ming ? Bat the winners were fair birds. In Brown Reds 

 chickens won the prizes, the first leaving little to be desired, 

 and the medal for Game was awarded here. In Any other colour 

 the first were Duckwinga and second Piles, both being smart 

 and good, but the first scarcely in full feather. One of the gems 

 of the Show, however, was the Brown Red coclierel to which 

 the medal for single cocks was awarded, this being perhaps in 

 all points the best Game bird in the Show. The second was a 

 good Duckwing. 



Hamburghs were mixed classes. The first prize for Pencilled 



Fig. 120. — Boyle's incubator. 



This incubator holds thirty eggs at a sitting, or three chickens 

 every two days ; but it can be made to hold double or treble if 

 specially ordered. 



DEEBY ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S SHOW. 



The seventeenth annual Stiow of Cage Birds, and the second 

 of poultry, Pigeons, and Rabbits, was held in the magnificent 

 Rifle Drill Hall on the 7th and 9th inat. This is one of the best 

 halls in the kingdom, and certainly is surpassed by none for 

 such a purpose ; aa it is well lighted from the top the specimens 

 were very easy of inspection. Through some mistake or other, 

 most of the pens had to be taken down at a time when the birds 

 should have been penned, and in consequence the arbifcrationa 

 could not be commenced till it was nearly noon on the first day, 

 and the visitors having been admitted the judging was carried 

 out under the greatest difficulty ; but in every other respect the 

 management was exemplary, the birds being well attended to, 

 fed, and watered. 



The entries forpoultrywere very large considering the number 

 of classes, and it was a matter of surprise to us to find so many 

 good pens. Cochins came first, and these were a very good 

 class, the medal for the heavy varieties being awarded to a very 

 good pen of Buffs. The second were White, well-shaped, good, 

 and clear, but not large. Brahmas, Dark, were fair; the first 

 good all round, sound in colour, but the pullet not well pencilled. 

 "The second-prize pullet was superior in that respect, but the 

 pen losing in general quality. In Light Brahmas were some 

 good birds, but some were a little overshown and yellow. The 

 first were grand in shape, colour, and marking ; the cock's comb 



and the medal for the best pen of Hambnrgha went to an even 

 pen of Silver-pencilled, the second being Golden also very good. 

 In Spangles the Goldens stood quite clear of all danger, winning 

 very easily, the first being an especially bright-coloured pen; 

 but these lost the medal on account of the cock's comb being 

 somewhat coarse. 



The competition in Game Bantams, Black and other Reds, 

 was very keen, many old and well-won pens putting in appear- 

 ance, but these were beaten by younger birds ; the first Black 

 and second Brown Reds, a third also being awarded to Black 

 Reds. Other colour of Game and all other varieties were shown 

 together in the next class, and we would strongly recommend a 

 revision of thia section, for in this case many deserving pens had 

 to be passed. The first were Blacks, second Silver Sebrights, 

 and extra second Duckwiugs. Cross-breeds were a bad lot. 



In the class for a single cock of any variety there was nothing 

 striking if we except the first-prize Dorking. The Variety class 

 was a very strong one, the first and medal going to a good pen 

 of Gold Polands, second to grand Spanish chickens, and third to 

 good Red Malay chickens ; theae, however, failed somewhat in 

 that grand characteristic of the Malays— viz., an arched back. 

 The Selling class was large, but, with the exception of a few 

 pens, there was nothing good. Ducks had but one class, and 

 here a most splendid pair of Mandarins won first, grand Rouens 

 second, and Aylesburys third. 



Pigeons. — There were 190 entries in eight classes. Carriers 

 were only moderate if we except the winners, which were Blacks 

 first and second, and Dun third. In Pouters all the winners 

 were Whites, the first a perfect bird in all respects, and , n good 

 show; the second, rather flat, was also good. Dragoons had 

 forty-seven entries of aU the standard colours, and the contest 



