J3S 



Storks, Starling Breasts, Swiss, Gulls or Swallows, Shields, Helmets, Magpies, Ice 

 Pigeons, &c. In this division might also be admitted any new or foreign variety of 

 Pigeons or Doves. B. P. Bbent. 



PIGEONS AT THE SHOWS. 



381. (Eaton.) — I take the liberty to offer a few remarks, now that shows are over 

 for the season and about commencing again. Not many prize lists being at present 

 out, it seems the proper time to make a few observations regarding the awarding of 

 prizes to Pigeons. 



382. Fanciers and visitors must have noticed, at some of the poultry shows Pigeons 

 have not been exhibited ; I think it would be wise to find out the cause. The commit- 

 tee of management may not have considered Pigeons sufficiently attractive, or Gentle- 

 men of the Pigeon Fancy may have considered the prizes held out too low, and there- 

 fore declined exhibiting birds of the first class. 



383. I think it is nesessary for both parties to mind their stops ; Fanciers have no 

 right to expect larger prizes than the Committee of a Show can afford. The value of 

 the prize or medal ought not so much to be looked upon as the honour of taking it. 

 I would suggest the propriety of having medals for prizes as low as 5s. ; Fanciers 

 could show their brother Fanciers and friends their medals • (provided they had them), 

 and feel proud of them, whereas they would not Hke to show their five shillings. Let 

 l^his be optional, as some might prefer the money, to pay the carriage, &c., of the birds. 



384. Nothing can be so destructive to Poultry Shows as for the outgoings to exceed 

 the receipts ; while, on the contrary, nothing assists more than a large number of hand- 

 some prizes. Most shows are hits or misses, owing to casualties over which the com- 

 mittee of management have no control, viz., the weather, &c. Where it proves a hit, 

 could its surplus funds be better appropriated than by founding a ragged school? If 

 it were announced in the programme that the surplus funds would be so used, I can- 

 not help thinking that a large surplus would remain ; and who knows what blessings 

 might attend the Poultry Shows which are taking place in all parts of Her Most Gra- 

 cious Majesty's dominions ? To think of a little ragged brother — now as ragged as a 

 colt — fifty years hence, as Lord Mayor of London, returning thanks for health drunk, 

 stating his education had been received at a ragged school formed from the surplus 

 funds of a poultry show. If they could be the means of raising one ragged school in 

 every county, would not this cause the cottager's heart to sing for joy ? Surely this is 

 worth a trial. 



385. Where Poultry Shows are unsuccessful, it may arise from many causes ; the 

 prizes may have been too many and too high. Pigeons and Rabbits may have been 

 excluded, whereas, if they had been included, the show might have done much better. 

 Fanciers of Pigeons and Rabbits are numerous, and would go many miles to see them ; 

 but their taste not being in fowls, they would not have power to attract them. So it 

 ought to be ; there is no accounting for the different fancies of men ; it would be a bad 

 job if every one fancied the same thing — it must be with fanciers as with husbands — 

 each believing " he has the only lovely Nan." There cannot be too great a variety to 

 draw the many ; it is said " many a little makes a mickle ;" the greater the variety at 

 a show, the larger the company. 



386. I wiU suggest what I consider a good prize list for Pigeons, and offer a few re- 

 marks afterwards : — 



PIGEONS. 

 Almond Tumblebs, or Splashes. 

 For the best pair, tested by the Standard of the Five Properties — First prize. 



Ditto, Second prize. 



Ditto, Third prize. 



Pouters, or Croppers. 

 For the best pair of Black, Blue, Yellow, Red, White and Mealy, — each tested by 

 the Standard of the Five Properties. 



