6ELKCTINO FOWLS FOR EXHIBITION. 131 



\Vhat we consider and our opinion is corroborated by 

 the best judges to be really "good condition," is such an 

 amount of flesh as can be carried consistently with perfect 

 health and fecundity, combined with clean, well-ordered plumage. 

 It is in the last particular that a good grass-run is so advan 

 tageous ; fowls always look clean and nice when so kept, and 

 rarely require much further preparation beyond washing the 

 feet and legs. 



With a good number of such birds to choose from, there 

 should be little difficulty in finding pens, even for Bir- 

 mingham or the Palace. Formerly two hens and pullets 

 used to be shown together, and even with the cock as a third. 

 In those days there was much trouble in " matching " a pen, 

 since the two hens had to be very nearly alike, and out of 

 a dozen individual good ones there might only be one pair that 

 would " go well " together. Single hens, and generally single 

 birds, are now the rule, and only individual excellence is there- 

 fore required. This makes more careful scrutiny possible, and 

 raises the standard of individual excellence. But let not the 

 birds be judged too severely. Let the owner remember that 

 few are absolutely perfect ; and that whilst he, well knowing 

 every fault, may see most plainly the blemishes in his own 

 pen, impartial judges often have to weigh other blemishes 

 against these, and he may thus win after all. Glaring faults 

 cannot of course be passed over; but fair general excellence 

 will often win the day against a pen far superior in some 

 respects, if accompanied by some decided blemish. 



The pens should be selected and the birds put together 

 where pairs are shown, at least ten days before the show pre- 

 pared for, in order that the fowls may get thoroughly used to 

 each other. Neglect of this precaution may cause much 

 fighting and destruction of plumage in the exhibition pen, or 

 on the road thither, and not unfrequently loses a prize. They 

 also be confined for a few days in pens if possible, 

 9% 



