I 
194 TIIE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY 
those streets where the largest quantity of banners caused 
the greatest congregation of sight-seers. Still, all parties 
seemed most desirous not only to enjoy themselves, hut also 
to make others happy, and the best possible order and good 
feeling prevailed. 
To return to the Poultry Show; ibis occupied a long 
series of terraces, called Northern Hay, and it has rarely 
fallen to our lot to visit any locality so peculiarly well suited 
for the purpose. It forms “the public walks"’ of Exeter, 
and not oidy tends much to the enjoyment of the inhabitants, 
but also carries throughout the air of great care, order, and 
close attention. Trees of many years’ growth embower it on 
all sides, and the view is very picturesque and extended. 
On one of the extensive lawns a military band much en¬ 
livened the proceedings of the day, by playing many popular 
and warlike airs. On this occasion, the Committee deviated 
widely from generally-accustomed practice, by the appoint¬ 
ment of six gentlemen as judges. They were as follows :— 
The Rev. T. Sydenham, of Collmnplon ; Rev.-Iluyshe, 
of'Clystliidon; Rev. H. K. Venn, of lloniton; Dr. Scott, of 
Saint Leonard’s, Exeter; Edward Stamp,Esq., of lloniton ; 
B. Kingdon, Esq., of Exeter ; and Edward Hewitt, Esq., of 
Spark Brook, Birmingham. The latter gentleman was ap¬ 
pointed umpire or general referee. 
As to the poultry, the whole Exhibition proved how sadly 
unfavourable the present season has been for the produc¬ 
tion of early chickens; indeed, the Cochin chickens were 
represented by one solitary pen of youngsters scarcely 
larger than Quails. In this instance they were, of course, 
unrewarded by a premium, being nil but destitute of feathers, 
and, indeed, but ill supplied with chicken down. The 
Spanish chickens were also very small, but several pens of 
Gray Dorkimjs were somewhat more advanced to the or¬ 
dinary size we are now generally accustomed to meet with 
at the end of May; still, we confess our disappointment at 
the immature character of the chickens os a whole. 
In the adults were many most creditable and deserving 
specimens, but, from the somewhat advanced breeding 
season, the plumage of the fowls was scarcely equal to that 
of Poultry Shows in general. The Spanish foals were 
tolerable specimens, as a whole, but none of them were con¬ 
sidered worthy of “ the Cup.” This principal premium was, 
therefore, withheld from them altogether. The chickens, 
also, obtained only a second prize, from their immaturity. 
The Grey Dorkinys were very good, and all the premiums 
were awarded. We think we cannot do better than here 
call attention to a pen otherwise creditable, but containing a 
cock with a most extraordinary malformation; the spurs 
growing directly from the outside of the legs. Such mon¬ 
strosities must always defeat the wishes of exhibitors, and 
should invariably be carefully avoided altogether. Another 
instance of unwise selection occurred from mating rosy and 
flat combs in the same pen of Dorkings. This indiscretion 
must likewise tend to immediate disqualification. The 
Cochins were very good ; indeed, in our somewhat extended 
experience, we never remember to have seen so universally 
praiseworthy a class as that for the Partridge-coloured ones, 
and well may the Reverend gentleman who obtained the 
plate prize be proud of his distinguished position in the 
list. All the Game were very good, hut we still see 
the constant malpractice of not paying any attention to 
matching the colour of the legs; hence their defeat. 
Several pens were thrown out of all chance of winning by 
their owner’s thoughtlessness in this single particular. The 
Hambnrylis and Polands contained many very superior 
specimens. There were some very good White Spanish 
fowls exhibited in the extra class. The Sehriyht Jiantnins 
were superior, and of the Black ones we must speak 
in terms of like commendation. Among the Bantams, we 
particularly noticed a pen of very small Bumpless Ban¬ 
tams, quite unique in our present Poultry Shows, though, 
from some enquiries instituted on the spot, we find the 
breed has existed in this neighbourhood for many years. 
Still, this is the only instance on record of their being thus 
publicly exhibited. They were well matched, small, and 
pretty. An extra first prize was awarded them. The 
Turkeys were most excellent, but the Geese, and Ducks were 
far below mediocrity. The Piyeans were very superior, but 
contained no varieties but those we customarily meet with 
in competitions of like character. 
G ENTLEMAN’S COM PAN ION. —June 10,1850. 
The attention paid by the Committee to the poultry 
generally was all that the. most anxious amateur could 
desire; indeed, the whole Show carried with it the appear¬ 
ance of comfort and sufficiency. Green food was liberally 
supplied, and we do not doubt all the specimens enjoyed 
themselves to the utmost, consistent with their safe im¬ 
prisonment for the public inspection. The pens were far 
more roomy and convenient than is ordinarily met with, 
and each and all were placed in equally good light; a 
feature that on such occasions should never be neglected. 
The attendance of the surrounding gentry was very general. 
We published the poultry prize-list last week, and we now 
add that for the Pigeons. 
Carriers.— First, Mr. Samuel Summerhayes, Taunton. 
Almond or Ermine Tumblers. — First, Mr. W. L. Channing, 
Heavitree, near Exeter. 
Fantails. —First, Mr. Edward II. Burge, Taunton. 
Jacobins. — First, Mr. Edward H. Burge, Taunton. Second, each, 
Mr. Samuel Summerhayes, Taunton, and Charles Bluett, Esq., Taunton. 
(Yellow.) 
Pouters- — Second, Mr. Samuel Summerhayes, Taunton. (First 
prize withheld.) 
Nuns.— First, Mr. Thomas Twose, Bridgwater. 
Barbs. — First, the Rev. G. F. Hodson, North Petherton, near 
Bridgwater. 
Trumpeters. —First, Mr. Thomas Twose, Bridgwater. 
Archangels. —First, Mr. George Hopkins, George-street, Plymouth. 
Owls. — First, Mr. Edward H. Burge, Taunton. 
Turbits. —First, Mr. Edward H. Burge, Taunton. 
Runts. —First, Mr. Henry Child, jun., Sherhourne Road, Birming¬ 
ham. 
Extra. —Prize, Mr. \V. L. Channing, Heavitree, near Exeter. (Pair 
Yellmv Heards.) Prize, Mr. \V. I.. Channing, Heavitree, near Exeter. 
(Pair White Dragons.) Prize, Miss Selina H. Northcote, Upton Pyne. 
(Pair Magpies.) 
CHANGE OF COLOUR, IN A FOWL’S 
PLUMAGE. 
I was much interested in the paper read by Mr. Williams. 
My impression is, the colour of the plumage is affected by 
the condition of the bird. I keep Gold-laced Sebright Ban¬ 
tams, and have always noticed that at this time of year, 
when the hens have been laying a long time, and are to 
a certain extent exhausted, the lacing becomes more 
indistinct than earlier in the year, and the ground¬ 
colour becomes faint. If a little knot of feathers is 
pulled out of any bird three or four times in succession, as 
last as produced, they will generally come lighter than the 
original colour, and very often quite white. I think this in¬ 
dicates debility, and that the producing power is becoming 
weak. It is a recorded fact, that Black Pigeons, confined for 
a given time in a loft, from breeding in, become quite 
white. My impression is, that such changes indicate that a 
renovating process is necessary.—A Young Observer. 
HAM BURGHS AND COCHIN-CHINAS. 
I think the interchange of opinions and experiences one 
of the most useful points of a Poultry Chronicle, and the 
kindly spirit in which “Felix Rabbit” and “Silver Ham¬ 
burgh ’’ enter into it imparts a real charm to their contribu¬ 
tions. 
I have also kept both breeds with tolerable success, and 
now put my notes before the public. Cochins do not lay 
the largest number of eggs, hut they sit. Hambro’s do not 
sit, hut they lay more eggs than Cochins. Cochins lay 
better in winter than Hambro’s, hut they are larger con¬ 
sumers of food. I blend the qualities of the rivals. My 
Cochins lay in the winter, when I want eggs; they sit in 
the early spring, when I want chickens, and when other 
fowls lay. My Cochins often lay soon after hatching, 
but from that time I find them sorry mothers. I cannot 
think rice good food, as my birds never do well upon it, and 
I have long since discarded it. When any one will take the 
pains to measure food and weigh eggs, the Hambro’ will be 
found the cheapest producers of eggs that we have in the 
poultry list.— Amateur. 
