348 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



AL such times the combs of first-class hens will often assume a small and upright or "pricked" 

 character, and must not be condemned on that account, as a return to good condition will make 

 them all that can be desired. 



The white face and ear-lobe are rather apt to become disfigured by a dirty yellowish eruption 

 or scab, which greatly diminishes the chances of birds in competition, and is also somewhat 

 dangerous, as it occasionally tempts birds to peck at each other's faces. We have known this occur 

 in several instances, and, though we are not sure, believe that in all, with but one exception, there 

 had been signs of eruption previously. In the exceptional case the best cockerel of the year at 

 Birmingham was shown afterwards with a first-prize pair of pullets, we think at Manchester, when 

 the pullets, or one of them, devoured one of the cock's ear-lobes entirely, and the other partially, 

 spoiling the bird entirely for show purposes. In this case the face was in faultless condition, and 

 the mishap could only be attributed to impatience under confinement with a strange mate, the 

 pen having only been put together a day previously. The eruption now referred to is usually a 

 consequence of over-feeding. Incipient cases may sometimes be checked and cured by reducing 

 the diet and bathing the affected parts gently twice a day with milk and water ; but generally, and 

 especially if birds have to be " got right " for a show, it is better to treat it regularly, by giving 

 a tea-spoonful of castor-oil every three days for three or four times, and bathing the faces with 

 sulphurous acid (pharmacopoeia strength) diluted with its own bulk of water. The use of this 

 preparation, though known to very few, has probably given rise to the opinion we have heard 

 e.xpressed as to the "atrocious cruelty" to which Spanish are subjected by having their faces 

 prepared with " strong acids." We can only reply that the acid in question is the very same which 

 is used. to cure colds by injection into the throat in the form of spray, and is absolutely tasteless. 

 Its effect, if patiently persevered with, is very marked on the eruption referred to ; but the faces 

 must be carefully and gently dried after each application. Dryness of the face is, in fact, a very 

 great point, and the dusting of a little violet-powder, or what is much better, finely-powdered oxide 

 of zinc, between the folds, is of much advantage, helping also to bring out the white of the face 

 nicely. The advantage of the zinc is that it never clogs or cakes with the moisture of the skin, as 

 violet-powder is rather apt to do. We have known exhibitors actually paint faces, especially if an 

 otherwise good face has a reddish place over the eye ; but such frauds are generally discovered if 

 the judge has proper time allowed him, by the harsh and rough look of the skin thus treated. We 

 need scarcely say that all dishonourable practices of this kind should be visited with ignominious 

 disqualification. 



It was formerly considered fraudulent even to "trim" the faces of Spanish fowls, by plucking 

 out the hairs as described, and birds so treated were disqualified ; but by degrees the plan became 

 so openly recognised and acknowledged, both by exhibitors and judges, that any pretence of fraud 

 is perfectly ridiculous. We believe the reason in this case to have been, not that exhibitors 

 desired an unfair advantage, but that the full beauty of by far the greater number of Spanish faces 

 cannot be seen without such trimming. Some years after the general recognition of the practice in 

 England, one or two breeders kept up an unavailing protest against it, and refused to trim their 

 birds, with the result that they were always hopelessly beaten. At length one of the most 

 prominent objectors, Mr. A.lfred Heath, publicly announced that, being convinced the case was 

 hopeless, he should henceforth himself adopt a practice he found to be general; on the under- 

 standing it was not to be considered fraudulent ; and we believe on the very next occasion 

 of his exhibiting he won a cup. Some time after he wrote to us saying that after trial of the new 

 plan he prefers it ; that he had never seen the full beauty of his own birds before, and does not 

 . think it can be seen without ; whilst with the present clear and open understanding the objection 



