September 12, 1878. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 21 
or 
entries. We regretted to see few visitors to the Show, doubt- 
less owing to the fact that the great sale of Pigeons was going 
on in London, and drew away many prominent members of the 
lety. 
ees were represented by ten Blacks, five Duns and two 
Blues in three classes. The first Black, deep in the moult, pro- 
mises to be magnificent in wattle and beak ; the second is nearly 
as good. The Duns and Blues, though so few, were good. Pouters 
had two classes; only one had entries. First and third were 
Blues, second Yellow. If we mistake not the first Blue will turn 
out a very remarkable bird. Dragoons.—This fashionable variety 
had five classes. The Blues were the best filled and the best 
class. The first Yellow was remarkable both for colour and 
form, The Whites were large. Tumblers had four classes, three 
only of which had entries. The first and second Short-faced 
looked to us very equal, and birds sure hereafter to make their 
mark. The class for Balds or Beards was almost entirely com- 
posed of the former variety. Two Beards, a Yellow and a Silver, 
alone appeared. urbits——We thought the winning Blues a little 
coarse, but good in face. We admired Mr. Salter’s little bird 
(highly commended). ‘The Silvers all came from one loft ; we 
thought their peaks a little too low. In the Any other class a 
small Black, bright in colour, was first, a good Red and Yellow 
being respectively second and third. There were younger birds in 
this class still squeaking, which we think will one day be quite 
equal to the earlier winners. Jacobins.—The first Red was a 
splendid bird all round, with wondrous colour, mane, and rose ; 
his hood might, perhaps, be up a little more. In Yellows the first 
was best in hood and chain, but a little dull in colour; the 
second beautifully bright in colour, not quite so short in beak. 
All the prizes for Blacks went to one exhibitor ; the first winner 
js small and very lustrous in colour. Ow/s.—One class of three 
had alone representatives, but. their quality quite made up for the 
deficiency in the other two. First a Blue, second a Silver, third a 
Blue ; all remarkable birds, but the first about the best for its age 
we ever saw. Archangels are indeed looking up. All the prizes 
went to Red Archangels, to the exclusion of a Black. First dark 
purple, forward, and through the moult ; second and third will be 
as lustrous when older. Magpies were, of course, good in Oxford ; 
the third (Black) looked younger than first and second, but will be 
wonderful in colour. The first (Yellow) was an extraordinary 
bird for colour; second and third nice Reds. Fantails had but 
two entries, pretty little birds of Scotch type and good carriage. 
Antwerps.—The Short-faced were all Silver Duns save one Blue- 
chequer, which took third prize. The Long-faced classes had 
large entries. Any other variety—First and third were Blue 
Priests ; the first the very best we ever saw ; second a fine Pigeon. 
The Show was judged by Mr. Allsopp, and his awards seemed 
to give complete satisfaction. On looking round one could not 
help being struck with the large number of prizes which were 
most deservedly awarded to Mr. 8. Salter of Oxford. The lofts 
which can produce so many remarkable young birds of so many 
classes must indeed be something to see. 
PIGEONS.—CARRIERS.—Black.—1 and 2, W. 1 
Dun—i, W. G. Hammock. 2 and 3, W. G. Flanagan. Blve—1 and 2, W. G. 
Hammock. POUVERS.—Pied.—l, J. Chandler. 2, T. Herrieff. 3, R. Cant. 
DRAGOONS.—Blue—l, J. Andrew. 2, W. G. Flanagan. 3, T. C. Burnell. 
Silver—l and 2, 'T. C. Burnell. 3, A. McKenzie. Jed ov Yellow.—i and 3, W. 
G. Flanagan. 2, J. Simms. W/ite—1 and 2, J. Calcutt. 3, J. Simms. Any 
other colour.—l, J. Andrews. 2, W.Osmond. 38, A. McKenzie. TUMBLERS.— 
Short-faced—l, W.G. Hammock. 2, R. Cant. 3, H. Dacey. Flying Mottles or 
Rosewings.—1 and 3, W.G. Hammock. 2, H.O, Crane. Balds or Beards—i, H. 
Dacey. 2, H. O. Crane. 3, C. P. Saunders. TURBITS.—Blue.—1 and 2, G. 
Webster. 3,S.Salter. Silver.—t, 2, and 3,8. Salter. Any other colow'—1 and 
2, 0. E. Cresswell. 3,S. Salter. JACOBINS.—Red.—1, 2,and 3,8. Salter. Yellow. 
—l and 3,8. Salter. 2, T.C. Burnell. Black.—\, 2, and 3, 8. Salter. Any other 
colour.—l, G. Webster. 2and3, 8. Salter. OwWLs.—English, Blue or Silver not 
powdered.—1, 2, and 38, §. Salter. ARCHANGELS.—1, O, BE. Cresswell. 2, 8. 
Salter. 3, F.P.Bulley. MAGPIES.—Black.—1 and 2, S. Salter. 3, J. Chandler. 
Any other colour.—i, 8. Salter. 2and 3,F. P. Bulley. FANTAILS.—1 and 2, O. 
E. Cresswell. ANTWERPS.—Short-faced.—1 and 3, T. Herrieff. 2, J. Mantel. 
Homing, Blue or Black-chequers.—1 and _2, C. G. Butler. 3, Ry Cant. Chequers, 
any other colour—1, C. G. Butler. 2, J. Webster. 8, C. Herrieff. Any other 
colour.—l, B. Scragg. 2, H. O. Crane. 3,R. Cant. ANY OTHER VARIELY.— 
1and3,F.P.Bulley. 2, C. Salter. 
G. Hammock. 3, J. Chandler. 
INDIAN MINAH (MINO) BIRD. 
Wer have been asked for instructions by an Ashby-de-la-Zouch 
correspondent as to the treatment of the above bird, but we are 
not acquainted with one sodesignated. The name “ Minah” may 
be mistaken for that of Mino, one of the order of Passerines, thus 
described by L. Figuier :—“ The Passerine Dentirostres [the Mino 
being one of that family] are characterised by a bill more or less 
strong, compressed on each side of the point. They feed on 
berries and insects, and comprehend numerous genera. . . . . 
The Mino has been assigned to various families. Swainson places 
it among the Sturnide ; Gray in the sub-family of Graculine, 
under the family of Corvide. However, we prefer placing it as 
we have. They are sought after by the orientals in consequence 
of their gentle habits and the facility with which they imitate, 
like the Parrakeets, ali sorts of phrases and eyen airs. Their song 
is very agreeable. The Minos have a bill analogous to that of the 
Orioles, but their general form and habits approximate more to 
the Starlings, among which they ought to be ranged. They are 
eminently social in their habits, searching for their food in large 
flocks, and passing the night in numbers on the same or on neigh- 
bouring trees. Their natural disposition being peaceful, lively, 
and confiding, they appear to prefer the vicinity of man’s residence 
and the cultivated fields that surrouna his dwelling. They fre- 
quently attend upon flocks of sheep, to feed upon the insects that 
infest these ruminants’ skins. In countries where locusts abound 
they are of great service to man by feeding upon them. The 
Isle of Bourbon was at one time so infested with locusts that it 
threatened to become uninhabitable. The idea was entertained of 
introducing some Minos, and these birds multiplied so fast that in 
a few years the pests had disappeared. Unfortunately the services 
of the Minos had to be paid for dearly, for they showed a penchant 
for fruit, and made great havoc among the cherries, mulberry 
trees, &c. When insects became scarce they even attacked the 
cereals and other crops. These Passerines readily habituate 
themselves to confinement, and in a short time become as tame 
as Starlings. Like these birds, too, they possess the talent of 
remembering and repeating words and various cries. They in- 
habit Africa, Asia, and Java. In their migrations they some- 
times visit the southern countries of Europe, but they are rarely 
seen in France.” 
The illustration which accompanies the above remarks represents 
the bird to be in size betwixt the Golden Oriel and Starling with 
the centre portions of the outer flight feathers marked, as also are 
those about the sides of the head, from the back part of which 
some fan-shaped feathers gracefully project. The tail, like a 
Robin’s, inclines upwards.—GkO. J. BARNESBY. 
VARIETIES. 
AT the next Dairy Show to be held at the Agricultural Hall on 
the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 14th of October prizes amounting in 
value to close upon £600 will be offered for competition for 
poultry and pigeons. Last year it will be remembered there was 
a show of poultry, but the classes were somewhat limited, and 
were for birds of any age. On this occasion all the poultry 
classes will be for birds bred this year. The rules relating to 
trimming and other such practices will be very strict—a hint that 
exhibitors may do well to remember. The schedules will be 
ready by the end of the week. Mr. W. J. Nichols is the Hon. 
Secretary of the poultry department. 
— WE are requested to announce that a Committee Meeting 
of the Poultry Club will be held in London on Wednesday, 
September 25th, when the members of the Committee are specially 
requested to attend. 
— WE are glad to hear that more stringent rules than here- 
tofore against trimming are to be inserted in the schedules of the 
Agricultural Hall and Crystal Palace. 
— WE hope there is still some chance of the Oxford poultry 
and pigeon Show being held. We lately saw requisitions largely 
signed by the citizens in some of the Oxford shops requesting the 
Town Council to reconsider their decision, and we also understand. 
that nearly half that body are about to memorialise the Mayor to 
convene a special meeting to reconsider the question. 
—— THE great sale of the studs of pigeons belonging to Mr. 
P. H. Jones and Mr. Roper attracted a large number of fanciers 
to Stevens’s last week. The prices realised by the Turbits of the 
latter gentleman were even greater than those of the high-class 
fancy varieties of the former, though many of those sold for large 
sums—e.g., £12, £13, £14. One celebrated Black Turbit cock 
fetched. £26, and others correspondingly high figures. 
STRONG HIVES. 
STRONG men, strong horses, and strong stocks of bees recom- 
mend themselves. The work they do when fairly tried commands 
respect and attention, gives confidence and satisfaction. Strong 
hives put thei owners on the highest platform and above the 
influence of whims and prejudices, and they remain unaffected 
amidst popular agitations. On the contrary, apiarians with weak 
hives are easily influenced and soon catch the fever of whims and 
fancies and help to make them epidemic. New and better kinds 
of bees and hives are sought and purchased, fashions of every 
sort are followed, and money spent without returns or correspond- 
ing results. “The resting places” are always before us—at the 
next station. Shall we arrive at it soon? Some twenty years 
ago some of the Ayrshire bee-keepers on adopting the Stewarton 
hive predicted that straw hives would go ont of fashion and be 
extinct in twenty years. Some of these prophets speedily returned 
from wooden to straw hives, and had them made on the Stewarton 
principle—that is to say, the bottom hives made of straw, with 
yims of wood on their tops for bars and slides. Since that time 
many enthusiasts haye predicted the downfall of straw hives, 
they have been doomed again and again, and they have been 
refused admission to a Crystal Palace bee show ; but somehow or 
other the national doomsday of such hives never comes. Present 
appearances indicate that this day will never come. Straw hives 
