EXHIBITION. 251 



of meal, with a little spice (pimento or pepper) 

 in it, to give warmth ; and I always aend along 

 with the birds a bag containing food for at least 

 one day. The hampers are best when circular 

 in form, as fowls often creep into corners and 

 destroy their feathers. They must be sufficiently 

 high to enable the birds to stand upright, and in 

 each should be a good bedding of hay. I consider 

 a lining imperative for all birds hut geese, ducks, 

 and turkeys, and even for these, in cold weather, 

 a little straw stitched inside the hampers adds 

 very much to their comfort. Coarse canvas or 

 calico fastened round the basket is what I use, 

 and from time to time these linings are taken 

 out, washed, and put aside for future occasions. 

 The hampers should have wicker-work lids, to 

 tie down with strings ; and I always, if possible, 

 superintend the putting the birds into their 

 hampers, and tying on the labels. Mistakes are 

 of frequent occurrence, and it is almost too much 

 for one's temper to have a fine pen of birds dis- 

 qualified, from having been placed in a wron^ 

 hamper. I have known this sad event happen, 

 and experienced thft inevitable effect. I ought 



