Evils of Over-showing. 155 



plain words are just as well — to see noble birds make their appearance at show after show, all the 

 time steadily sinking, until at last the once magnificent cock cannot stand in Jus pen. People who 

 act thus are generally the reckless buyers we have already spoken of; who buy their fowls, not 

 because they care for them, but merely to 'cvin : and it is, perhaps, alike difficult and needless to 

 conceal our contempt for any one who can thus consider a living creature simply as a machine for 

 ministering to his purse-proud vanity. This is a very different spirit to that which impels another 

 man, who acquires, or still rather breeds, the best birds possible, because he really appreciates them ; 

 and who feels a just pride in showing these triumphs of the breeder's art, because success is felt to 

 be deserved. Such a one will care first of all for his birds ; he will treat them, and use them, and 

 show them, fairly ; and he will be able to give a just and hearty congratulation to any friend who 

 can show a better pen than his own. We well remember once hearing a poultr>'-man, who had 

 sold his favourite cockerel for a great sum, bitterly regret it on seeing the poor bird almost hope- 

 lessly broken down at the end of the season, and indignantly affirming that " had he known how 

 he would have been knocked about," he would rather have given him away to a " real fancier " 

 than have sold him to the actual purchaser for double the amount. To encourage the one spirit 

 -rather than the other is one object we have in writing these pages. 



^m^ 



