THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION.— July 8, 1856. 
207 
durable sums in vainly endeavouring to “ breed” these un¬ 
commonly beautiful varieties of water-fowls in a strictly 
domesticated state, we would really advise, ere they give up 
the attempt, that they should pay a visit to these gardens, 
and witness for themselves what a little well-advised pre¬ 
arrangement in such matters will effect, even when the : 
naturally wary parents are continually placed under the 
inspection of curious visitors; and how much more certainly 
successful results might be anticipated in private grounds, 
where the original stock was altogether unmolested. Strange 
as it may appear to some readers, the confidence displayed 
by these young broods was most remarkable ; they were con¬ 
tinually running about the banks and rock-work, striving to 
reach some much-coveted morsel, and would frequently come 
within only a few feet of the spot where visitors were standing, 
enticing them with small portions of broken bread, of which 
they appeared to be excessively fond, or, as suddenly plunging 
to the bottom, would quickly re appear with a stray crumb that 
to the bystanders had sunk quite unobserved, the female 
parents merely calling them to order when “ a stray little 
one” (perhaps scarcely larger than a common wine cork), | 
had ventured incautiously among the broods of some larger i 
variety. The conduct of the Australian Black Swans to their 1 
young is, perhaps, as interesting as any part of this extra- , 
ordinary scene. When tired with their previous exertions, | 
the cygnets swim rapidly towards the mother, and gaining 
an expeditious footing on tbe back of their parent, nestle i 
closely between her wings, evidently quite enjoying the in¬ 
creased warmth of the body, combined with the still more 
powerful heat of the midday sunshine. W r e were informed 
these aquatic rides were never indulged in except in the 
tinest weather; and the parental anxiety of these rare water- 
fowls for their broods was still farther illustrated when thus 
floating listlessly about. If a piece of bread was then thrown 
near them on the water, the mother would instantly break it 
into small pieces, and after taking tbe fragments one by one 
in her bill, she would quickly, without disturbing them, feed 
all the cygnets as unconcernedly as possible, the “ family 
group” remaining all the time quite happy and contented. 
We have made this little digression from established rules 
in the present report of the Clifton Poultry Show because 
we have oftentimes heard many complaints of non-success 
in the raising of these descriptions of truly ornamental live¬ 
stock, and even to the expression of positive conviction that 
Teal, Widgeons, Pintails, and the different varieties of 
water fowls, that migrate into this kingdom only during the 
severities of winter, could not possibly be prevailed upon to 
breed if deprived of their liberty and forcibly detained. 
Now, a few remarks appertaining more especially to tlie 
Poultry Show itself. The arrangements, as we before said, 
were excellent indeed. Two very large and most superior tents 
afforded ample accommodation for considerably more than 
five hundred pens of first-class fowls in single rows. No 
possible complaint could therefore be urged as to difference 
or advantage of position, and the manifold superiority of 
this arrangement to the adjudicators and the visitors also 
must be obviously appreciated by all who saw them. The 
Spanish were very superior, Captain Hornby securing the 
Cup. In Dorkings (coloured) the improvement was manifest 
most particularly, the Dorking Cup being obtained by Mr. 
Win. Bromley, of Smithfield, Birmingham, by the exhibition ' 
of the best pen- of chickens that have ever been known to j 
compete so early in the season. They were truly gigantic j 
birds. The While Dorkings did not surpass mediocrity. The 
Game were, however, well represented. Many of the 
Hamburghs were very good ; but we particularly noted one 
pen of most especially perfect Golden-spangled Hamburghs, 
that, in accordance with the strict rules (as published), were 
instantly returned to their owner from one of the hens being 
seriously affected with the roup. Her head was swollen pro¬ 
digiously, and her health had evidently been failing for some 
time. It is a matter of regret that any real amateur should 
send poultry so grievously indisposed to he placed in close 
propinquity with the birds of his near competitors for 
several days consecutively, when it is well known the serious 
injury that may arise from so doing. From these convictions 
the committee wisely determined on visiting each pen sepa¬ 
rately prior to the Judge’s adjudications, and “removing all 
affected birds, without any favour or affection.” 
In carrying out this regulation, about live or six pens were 
thus removed. Now, on this subject, so truly vital to all 
exhibitors, it will be well to suggest tho great impropriety 
of “ clothing” tbe baskets in which fowls travel at this warm 
season. Nothing can possibly be adopted more likely to 
predispose to roup than want of circulation in the surround¬ 
ing and confined atmosphere of baskets thus actually “ closed 
in ” with outside coverings. We particularly noticed one 
instance, where some “ green-hom ” of a proprietor had 
literally completely covered, in toto, top, bottom,and all sides 
of his hamper with oil sheetings ! and, consequently, these 
fowls were received in a state of utter exhaustion ; whilst their 
recovery from this really cruel ill usage is entirely attribu¬ 
table to the unwearying exertions of the managers generally. 
The Polands were excellent; and in the class for any variety 
it is very rarely so good and varied a selection lias appeared 
before the public. A pen of Malays (for which there was 
not any fixed class) here very deservedly took the first prize, 
nor do we call to mind ever noticing their superiors. The 
Geese and Turkeys were good in quality ; hut the entries in 
these classes were not numerous, as interfering at the present 
time very much with the brood birds. 
Of the Pigeons, generally, we Cannot speak too highly ; the 
Runts were especially deserving of attention. There was 
not, throughout, any one class that was not well represented; 
and that for “ any other variety ” was replete with the choicest 
and most beautifully-feathered species of Pigeons commonly 
known as “ Toys.” 
The fowls were exceedingly well attended to, and after 
the close as speedily returned to their owners, a feature 
always the most likely “ to insure success another time;” 
indeed, we are informed no death or illness took place 
during the period tho poultry remained “on view.” 
The prizes throughout the whole Exhibition were finally 
awarded by Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Eden Cottage, Spark- 
brook, near Birmingham, who, at tbe last moment, was com¬ 
pelled to officiate single-handed, both as regards the fowls 
and pigeons, as the committee were disappointed at tbe last i 
instant in tire services of the gentlemen they had previously j 
secured, and on whom they had confidently depended. I 
This difficult and thankless task occupied about five hours, ! 
and we are pleased to find the decisions were satisfactory to I 
both the competitors and the committee. The success of the 
Show just concluded is so good, that we hear its annual 
renewal will be the certain result; and with so indefatigable 
a management we do not ourselves doubt it will soon rank 
among the most important of our poultry meetings. 
HULL POULTRY SHOW.— June 25th. 
This was held in the Hull Zoological Gardens. We have 
the authority of the Judges for saying that a better Exhibi¬ 
tion, both as to number, and above all, as to tbe quality of 
the birds, has never been seen in Yorkshire. This is indeed 
great praise for so young a Society. 
As a specimen of the liberality with which the affairs of 
the Society are conducted, wo may remark, that the chief 
prizes of the day were a handsome silver cup, of the value 
of £5, which was offered for the best pen of fowls, and a 
handsome silver medal for the best pen of Pigeons. Con¬ 
sidering the superiority of the Exhibition, we believe tbe 
committee will have no reason to regret their liberality. 
No fewer than two hundred and forty pens of poultry, Ac., 
were exhibited, and amongst them were certainly some of 
tbe best and handsomest fowls we ever beheld. Dr. Pierson, 
of Bridlington Quay, was the fortunate winner of the cup, 
with his pen of Black Spanish birds. These were admired 
by all, both for symmetry and splendour of plumage. The 
show of Cochin-Chinas was exceedingly good. The two 
winning pairs of Buff birds of the former species were per¬ 
fect marvels for size, whatever other good points they may 
have had in the eyes of the Judges. Dorkings were not in 
such great force. Tbe two Brown-speckled Dorking hens be¬ 
longing to the Rev. G. Hustler were much admired; if the 
| cock classed with them had been equal to the hens, there is 
no doubt they would have held a higher position in the list. 
Of the various sorts of Spangled Hamburghs the display was 
superabundant. All the Game fowls received the unqualified 
commendation of the Judges. Mr. Beilby’s and Mr. Picker- 
