162 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



dull in colour. We have seen the head sponged with 

 strong vinegar, and this does brighten the comb for a 

 while; but most birds become dark afterwards, and the 

 other is the more certain treatment. 



The head and comb should be gone over the very last 

 thing, any bent or broken small body-feather removed, and 

 the whole body may be smoothed over with a silk hand- 

 kerchief, with quite perceptible results in some cases. 



As to the best form of hamper, general experience 

 approves most of a round shape, of a size to give just ample 

 room to the fowls which have to be shown. The usual 

 pattern for a single bird is that shown in Fig. 26, of 

 skeleton wickerwork, with a flat cover hinged in the 

 middle. This is lined with coarse linen, canvas, or other 

 cheap material. It is better to be too large than too small ; 

 and the straw should be put in deep, with a deep hollow in 

 the centre, which will keep the bird there and avoid 

 damage to the tail. Many shows now allow two or more 

 pens to be sent in one hamper, which saves considerably in 

 carriage. In such cases, the usual shape is an oblong with 

 rounded ends, and a partition in the middle. When fowls 

 are thus sent, the greatest care should be taken that the 

 labels are so attached that there may be no chance of 

 mistake about the proper pens. At almost every show 

 there are errors of this sort, to the inevitable loss of the 

 exhibiter, who cannot expect busy officials to remedy the 

 results of his own carelessness. 



All has now been done that can be done, and the rest 

 must be left to the decision of the judges. As a rule, these 

 are impartial, but there are regrettable exceptions. Some 

 are known to have certain invincible prejudices, which 

 prevent them from judging certain classes in accordance 

 with the general rules as understood by the majority ; 

 there are others, far above any pecuniary corruption, who 



