522 



JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTDBE AND COTTAGE QARDENEE, 



[ December 9, 1875. 



progress ? Why, we sent such birds (for they would come in 

 spite of us now and then), to the bird shops for anything they 

 would bring to have them out of sight. If this is all you have 

 to show it is a pity you disquieted me to bring me up." — Geo. 

 TJbe, Dundee. 



MAUCHLINE SHOW. 



The second annual Show was held at Mauchline in the Tem- 

 perance Halla,nd National Schools (the entries being much larger 

 than was expected, the former place was not sufficient for all) on 

 Friday and Saturday last. Although but the second show, the 

 Committee seemed to be thoroughly up to their work, and with 

 an energetic Secretary in Mr. Wallace, the whole was well 

 carried out ; but on account of the small size of the Hall the 

 pens were placed three tiers high, the promenades being narrow. 

 The lowest tier was in rather a dark position, the Spanish espe- 

 cially showing to disadvantage, but in these classes were some 

 grand birds, notably the cocks, which were almost uniformly 

 good. 



Scotch Gretj cocks were very good, the first one of the best we 

 ever saw, the other winners losing only in size. Hens were a 

 very even lot ; the first, however, was the most perfectly marked 

 we have ever seen. In Dorking cocks the first was a massive 

 Dark-Grey, the second a very good Silver-Grey cockerel, but, 

 with the exception of feet, by far the best was the third Silver- 

 Grey cock, which for size, colour, and shape was an extraordinary 

 bird. In hens a Silver was first. Dark second, and Silver pullet 

 third — a very close run. If we except the winners the Game 

 were poor, Duckwings taking first honours in each case. The 

 medals in the above two sections went to the Spanish and Dor- 

 king cocks. Hamhurghs were a grand lot of eight classes with 

 ninety-seven entries, the medal being won by a most perfect 

 Silver-pencil pnllet, very handsome, however, with the first- 

 prize Silver-spangle hen. Gold-spangles in both classes were 

 very good, the hens most particularly, but with the exception of 

 the winners in Gold-pencils there was nothing striking. Silver- 

 spangle cocks were good as regards the winners, the first a 

 thoroughly spangled bird. The first in Silver-pencil cocks was 

 far ahead of all the rest. Brahma Pootrns in both classes were 

 pretty good; the Cochins, however, much better, and the medal 

 awarded to a capital Bnfl cock. Game Bantam cooks were not 

 a good lot, but the first was a moderate Pile ; second a Black 

 Eed, but that he was a little sickly and marked ou the hackle 

 would have been first. In hens the first was a smart Black Red, 

 second and third Piles. In the Variety Bantam cocks first was 

 a very small Black, second Black, and third Gold Sebright ; and 

 in hens the first was a Silver Sebright, most perfect in all points, 

 and the rest Blacks. A Malay was placed first in the Variety 

 class, Creve second, and Gold Polish third; and in hens the 

 first-and-medal was a Gold Polish hen, second Crcve, third 

 White-crested Black. Aylesburys, both Ducks and drakes, were 

 large and fine in quality, the medal going to a splendid fellow of 

 this variety, the Rouen Duck running the above very close, for 

 the Rouen Drakes, though good in colour, were not equal to the 

 rest. Geese viere a fair lot; the first White Embden, second 

 Toulouse, and third Chinese. The Selling classes were well 

 filled with very cheap birds. Many mistakes occurred through 

 the very unwise system of starting each class with No. 1. 



Pigeons, as before stated, were in the school-room. Pouters, 

 first on the list, were pretty good, but many not in the best 

 show. In cocks first was a good Blue, large, full of style, but a 

 little short of marking on wing; second a grand White, but a 

 little soiled; and third Eed, good in all respects but colour, 

 which was a little dull. Hens were — first Black, faultless if we 

 except a suspicion of trimming on one thigh. In Carrier cocks 

 first was a capital Dun well made up, fine in style, neck, &c. ; 

 second Black; and third Dun, rather flat-wattled. In hens a 

 grand Blue was first. Black and Dun of fair quality winning the 

 rest. The medal for Pouters and Carriers went to the Carrier 

 cock. In Tumbler cocks the first was an Almond, second Agate, 

 and third Kite; and in hens, first Black Mottles, second Red, 

 and third Agate — a fair lot. ITantails in both classes were very 

 good, especially in size and carriage. The Jacobins in Ijoth 

 cases about the best classes in the Show, and the medal awarded 

 to a very small Red hen, one of the neatest we have seen of 

 late. In Nuns of both classes the winners were very good ; in 

 cocks were two very good Reds. Classes were provided for 

 common Pigeons, some of which were common indeed. In the 

 Variety class cocks the first was an Archangel, very brilliant in 

 colour and in fine order; second a Spangled Ice, and third a 

 Eed Turbit ; and in hens the first was a neat White Owl, second 

 a Black Barb, and third Archangel. In the Selling classes there 

 were not many birds of great value. 



liahhita (which are evidently not understood here) had two 

 classes, but out of nineteen entries only the first-prize Hima- 

 layan was of any value, all the rest being common. 



The Canary section was entirely for the Scotch fancy varieties, 

 although there was a class for Mules, in which a Variegated 

 Jonque was first, and a four-pointed Mealy out of the same nest 

 second. 



The prize lists were well got up in such a manner as to be of 

 great service to both the press and visitors. 



JcDGES.—PoiMri/ ami Pigeons : Mr. E. Hutton, Padsey. Cage 

 Birds : Mr. Wm. Kerr, Ayr. 



PIGEONS AT THE GALSTON SHOW. 



PoDTERS, Black or Blue. — This was the finest class of all in 

 the Show, the pens ran the full length of the Hall. Many of the 

 birds were grand, and must have struck every visitor on enter- 

 ing. First-prize a splendid Black, fine clean limb, but deficient 

 in markings on the crop ; second, a Blue, fine limb and style, 

 rather gay ; third, a grand Blue, perfection in marking, but 

 rather deficient in limb. Highly commended also a very fine 

 Blue. This class was worthy of a city show. Pouters, any other 

 colour, a smaller class, but contained some fine birds. First a 

 Yellow cock of fine proportions and great size, deficient in 

 marking and crop, splendid limb, but evidently very old ; second, 

 a splendid Mealy, beautifully marked, not quite up in limb ; 

 third, a fine Mealy hen, rather gay on wing. Highly commended 

 a fine bird, but a bad shade of red. Carrier cock or hen. — In 

 looking over the catalogue we were surprised to find that this 

 fine class was all shown by local fanciers. The first-prize, a 

 Black cock, had a peculiar fineness about him not only in style 

 but all over. This class with one or two exceptions was a very 

 good one. Fantaits, a large class, for quality seldom surpassed 

 anywhere. It contained both White and Black-saddled birds. 

 First-prize looked like a hen, but it was perfection in every 

 point, and also carried the special prize in this and the former 

 class. The saddle-backed birds were very fine, one of them 

 rather large ; but a finer collection of the true " broad-tailed 

 Shaker" we have not seen for many years. Jacobins, a fair 

 class. First prize awarded to a pair of Blacks. We were not 

 sure they were a pair, but one of them bore all the hues of the 

 original bird, the fine tilted hood and long chain; second, Beds, 

 a pair of fine birds with a little of what is called the " new 

 type." This was a large and troublesome class to judge. Tiirbits, 

 a large and fine class. There was the absence of the shell crown 

 except in one or two birds. All colours were represented, and 

 very fine birds shown. The first-prize pen was very good, 

 showing all the properties, and with a little more age will be ill 

 to beat. Many of the birds in this class were rather young to 

 take good places. Nuns, a very good and large class, all Black 

 excepting one pair (Reds). There was a total absence of "fancy 

 tailoring " here, and yet the foul feathers were very few. Com- 

 mon Tumblers consisted of two classes : the first, marked birds, 

 comprising Beards, Balds, Mottles, &c. ; the second. Self- 

 coloured birds. All the colours were well represented, among 

 them a pair of very beautiful Blues, barred on wing. Common 

 Pigeons. — This was astrong class, and suited the rising generation 

 and aspiring fanciers well. The first prize was awarded to a fine 

 pair of pure Whites. Variety class consisted of many fine and 

 pretty birds. First prize awarded to a pair (the only pair) of 

 Short-faced Agate Tumblers ; they were gems, and fitted to take 

 honours in a city show. Selling class were most appropriately 

 placed on the stage — a great variety of character, form, and show, 

 from the aristocratic Pouter downwards. The Pouters were 

 the best. 



Since writing this report we are informed this Show has been 

 an entire success. The Committee has our best wishes. 



BELGIAN CANAKIES.-No. 5. 



In my first chapter respecting this particular breed of birds 

 (see Journal of June 17th, p. 481) I remarked that "Belgian 

 Canaries are not every fancier's fancy." I still think so, for the 

 trouble and expense attending the obtaining of real good birds 

 are so great that many fanciers direct their attention otherwise, 

 towards cage-birds which may bs bred and reared somewhat 

 more freely than Belgian birds. In many cases which have 

 come under my notice I know the outlay has not been the 

 greatest obstacle to surmount, for as much as five, six, or seven 

 pounds, and upwards, have been expended for single birds to 

 breed with and to exhibit. An enthusiast who will spend some 

 eighty or a hundred pouuds for the purpose of riding high his 

 hobby-horse in the Belgian fancy (or any other fancy) may be 

 coLsidered to be touched somewhat with " Belgian or Canary on 

 the brain." After such an outlay as this and where disappoint- 

 ments in breeding and numerous deaths have taken place, it ia 

 no wonder that some with a good purse at command, who have 

 imagined that they were going to take Canary matters by storm, 

 have retired sickened and disappointed, crying, " Pcccavi. We 

 have done wrong by laying out so much money foolishly that 

 we intend going out of the fancy." Such instances as these are 

 to be deplored. Before entering into the Belgian fancy it ia 

 better to gain a knowledge of the ins and outs of breeding and 

 managing birds of an easier-going kind. 



So far as the present exhibiting season has advanced, more 

 birds of the Belgian varieties have been shown at some of the 

 exhibitions than I at one time anticipated. Take for instance 



