35 2 
1 he Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
At 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 
expressed 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, and all white powder should be wiped off before showing 
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. Alfred 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 
