November 21, 1878. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
399 
condition. 1269 (Fenwick) was a good bird though unnoticed. 
Brown Red pullets mustered twenty-four, and contained so many 
good ones that it must have been a difficult class for the Judge to 
decide upon. First was won by Mr. Warde with a pullet pretty 
in colour but wanting in reach; second (Watson) and fourth 
(Fenwick) were of the same type; the third (Webster) was more 
reachy. We liked 1293 (Voisin) as well as any in the class ; 1280 
(Martin), 1288 (Bell), 1290 (Coulthard), and 1295 (Cameron), were | 
good birds, though we noticed the class for Duckwing cocks 
‘rought some good birds together. First (Martin), a very smart 
bird, though not quite sound in the colour of the wing ; second 
(Cameron), and third (Martin), both good birds. In cockerels 
first went to Mr. Matthew for his Oxford bird, certainly the best 
Duckwing of this season, but sadly spoilt here by fighting. Mr. 
Martin’s second was hardly as good in colour as his birds usually 
are. We liked Mr. Harley’s unnoticed pen 1321, better than his 
third-prize pen. There were seven Duckwing hens; _ first 
(Matthew) was a fine hen of genuine Duckwing colour; second 
(Lyon) a smart bird with good eyes ; third (Thomas) we did not 
like; we should have preferred 1324 (Staveley), this probably 
lost a place from being pencilled on the wing. In pullets dark 
eyes and washed-out colour seemed to be rife. We liked 1335 
(Goodwin), very highly commended, as wellas any. She was very 
cheap at catalogue price. Messrs. Staveley’s second-prize pullet 
was free from any defect in eyes and of good colour, which cannot 
be said for the first-prize bird, though she was only good in shape. 
Mr. Martin and Mr. Oakeley showed good pullets. 
Pile cocks (eight).—First, a good hard-feathered bird, but a 
trifle thick in one of his feet; second, a good-coloured bird, but 
rather heavy in figure ; third, a fair bird ; highly commended 1343 
and 1349 possessed merit. Pile cockerels (eleven).—First and cup 
for the best Pile was awarded to a grand stylish yellow-legged 
bird ; second belonged to the same owner, a good bird but not so 
forward ; third, a fair bird but lacking the high breeding of first 
and second. Pile hens (fourteen)—First, a stylish hen; second, 
nearly equal to first, but a trifle more red on wing ; third, too pale 
in colour ; highly commended and commended birds were fairly 
good. Pile pullets.—First,a grand pullet all round, we believe 
second-prize winner at Oxford ; second, a good pullet but not so 
stylish as first ; third, of but medium quality. 
Malays numbered fourteen cocks and sixteen hens. A big dark 
cockerel was first, an old bird second, and a very good White 
third. The first and second hens were very fair. 
Leghorns.—The Brown classes were very large—nineteen cocks 
and twenty-three hens, showing that the breed has become 
thoroughly popular, We always find considerable difficulty in 
making up our minds as to the respective merits of these birds ; 
the first cock was rather dull in colour and not over-good in comb, 
but well shaped and free from the prevailing fault of squirrel 
tail; second, a pretty bird of much brighter hue. The winning 
hens were all in good condition with bright combs ; there were 
others whose form and body colour we preferred. The first White 
cock a beauty in colour and form, and with really white ears ; 
second, well-shaped but not large. The hen class contained a lot 
of fair average merit, the first winner we thought well chosen. 
Andalusians ave again becoming a thoroughly recognised breed, 
thanks in great part, we believe, to Miss Arnold. First cock 
well laced on breast ; second,a very good bird in capital condition, 
dark in colour. Tirst,a large hen, very fine and barely through 
the moult ; second and third rather light-coloured. 
Sultans (eleven pairs).—The first cock very good, though not 
quite through the moult; second, remarkable for the very good 
head and carriage of the cock ; third were very yellow, we pre- 
ferred their owner’s other pair. 
Langshans.—Only two old pairs, not remarkable, put in an ap- 
pearance. The cup cockerel was a very glossy bird, exceedingly 
cochiny in shape ; the winning pullets were all large, and the first 
yery green, of the Langshan type. 
Any other variety.—A beautiful pair of Silkies first; second, 
trim small Black Minorcas ; third, Dominiques. Mr. Dugmore 
showed a good pen of White Rumpless fowls. 
Bantams (Game).—Black Red cocks (thirty-eight).—First-and- 
cup a pretty little bird, but rather long in wings ; second, a tight- 
feathered bird but dull in colour; third, very good, we preferred 
him to second; fourth, a fair bird, but out of condition ; fifth, 
dull in colour; several of the highly commended birds were in- 
clined to be too large. Black Red Bantam hens (thirty-eight).— 
First-and-cup, a good pullet, beautiful in colour with a good red 
face ; second, rather too large but otherwise good ; third, a very 
smart bird; fourth, good in colour but short on leg. Several 
highly commended were very good, especially 2163, 2166, and 2174. 
Brown Red Bantam cocks (nine).—First, good in colour but not 
dark enough in face; second, belonging to same owner, had a 
beautiful laced breast; third, good in colour but too large. 
Highly commended, 2183, also too large ; 2185 we think deserved 
a card. Brown Red hens (six).—First, a smart gold-hackled 
pullet ; second we liked better, she had a pretty brass hackle ; third, 
yery good, equal to first and second. Highly commended, 2192, a 
good coloured bird. Duckwing cocks (ten).—First, a good bird and 
well placed ; second not so good, as he had a pencilled hackle, we 
preferred third to him. Highly commended, 2194, a fair bird. 
Duckwing hens (ten).—First,a very smart one, but inclined to 
havea blue face ; second, good in colour but too large; third, a 
smart bird. Pile cocks (twenty-two).—First, good with yellow 
legs ; second also good, running the first very closely ; third, good 
in colour but too large. Highly commended, 2216, a good bird 
but had been fighting; 2219 dull in colour; 2224 high in tail; 
2225 a good bird, but evidently im ill health. Pile hens (nineteen). 
—First, small and very neat in feather; second, a fair pullet ; 
third, another pullet, we thought her equal to second. Highly 
commended, 2343, a good shaped pullet. Several of the highly 
commended birds possessed great merit. 
We think attention should be called to the fact that pens 1293 
(Voisin) and 1352 (Colgrove), were highly commended in the 
Judges’ book, though they appear unnoticed in the catalogue. 
It is impossible that in so large a Show as the Palace there should 
be no oversight, but the press may lend a helping hand to remedy 
them as far as possible. 
Bantams (Black).—The cockerel in first pen was very small and 
neat ; second contained a glossy but large cock, and a very small 
hen ; third, rather too heavy. Booted.—All the winners were 
White ; feathering seems more cared for than their smallness of 
size in these days, for the winners were decidedly large. We 
should have put Mr. Holmes’ Black in the list. Sebrights seem 
to get sadly coarse, and are, we fancy, very inferior to their ances- 
tors which we can remember fifteen years ago. First, very good 
Silver ; second, the same colour ; third, Golden: Any other variety. 
—First, Cuckoos; second, pretty Light Japanese; third, the 
famous imported Dark Japanese. 
Waterfowls do not call for detailed criticism. Mr. Fowler of 
course was first with Aylesbury Ducks ; it was amusing to hear the 
remarks of the gaping multitude upon his wonderful drake. 
Pekins are certainly a great addition to our ponds ; formerly there 
seemed so little variety in useful (not so in ornamental) Ducks. 
There were sixteen pens of them in their class, besides several in 
the selling class. Rouen drakes and Ducks are now shown singly ; 
there were twenty-four of the former and twenty-three of the latter. 
We still regret to see prizes given to some birds which we feel pretty 
sure do not breed, and must be much inconvenienced if compelled 
to walk. Black Hast Indians were a beautiful and attractive lot ; 
we thought the cup pair the best we had ever seen, the Duck 
looking as green as many drakes ; there was some difference of 
opinion on this point, owing to the indifferent light they were in 
from being shown in an under tier. Second were rather larger but 
very good, doubtless some of those which we so much admired in 
their home last summer. The other winners both capital pairs ; 
the competition is very keen in this breed. Any other variety.— 
First, Mr. Serjeantson’s well-known Paradise Ducks ; we were 
amused to hear that this pair contrived to let themselves out of 
their pens after the judging cn Monday, were found quietly walk- 
ing about in the Palace. Second, Ruddy Shelldrakes; third, 
Spotted-billed. Surely this class requires subdivision, for several 
inbreeding varieties anda splendid pair of Mandarins went un- 
noticed. 
Turkeys good, not large classes. We learn that the classes for 
young Turkeys have been much reduced or spoilt by the im- 
punity with which for years exhibitors of old birds were allowed 
to win in them. This practice seems now in a fair way to be 
stopped, and we trust that honest breeders of early poults will 
take courage. reese.—Gigantic Geese first ; Greys again second, 
and Whites third. 
The judging as far as we could learn was thus apportioned :— 
Mr. Hewitt took Dorkings, Cochins, Aylesbury and Pekin Ducks ; 
Mr. Teebay Brahmas and Game Bantams; Mr. Smith Game and 
Malays ; Mr. Dixon Spanish, Hamburghs, the rest of the Bantams, 
Waterfowl, and Turkeys; Mr. Tegetmeier French, Langshans, 
and the remaining varieties, some of them with Mr. Hewitt. We 
cannot answer for one or two of the Pigeon classes, but believe 
them to have been thus allotted: —Capt. Norman Hill Pouters, 
large and small ; Mr. Wiltshire Carriers ; Messrs. Betty and Louth 
Dragoons ; Mr. Esquilant Tumblers, Nuns, Trumpeters, Turbits, 
Magpies, Archangels, and Runts; Mr. Jones Fantails, Barbs, 
Jacobins, Owls, Antwerps, and young pairs; Messrs. Jones and 
Esquilant the collections. 
BIRMINGHAM CATTLE AND POULTRY SHOW. 
Tue figures relating to the entries in the various sections 
show a general increase in all the more important departments, a 
result very gratifying to the Council in the face of a new and 
increased competition. 
We anticipate that the exhibition in Bingley Hall will take the 
lead, as usual, in Shorthorn, Hereford, and Scotch breeds, both 
in point of numbers and quality, whilst the little Devons will be 
more at home in London, where the numbers will also be chiefly 
strengthened in the Sussex classes. 
As regards sheep, the place to see Shropshires in perfection is 
Bingley Hall; and this year, owing, no doubt to the extra £50 
prize presented by Messrs. Gibbs & Co., there is much stronger 
competition in South Downs and other breeds. 
