132 
THE COTTAGE GAKDENEK. 
November 18. 
nte in one clay about Iflb., or to about tlie value of Hd., 
which 1 tiiink quite enough ‘in projwlion to size.’" 
I give you these facts; 1 think they require no conunents. 
Gaijais. 
TRIAL OF COST OF KPANISU AND (iOLD PHEASANT FOWLS. 
tc fcr, 
;3 “ 
?• o 
oz. 
m 
fWe are glad tliat “Callus” has settled the question, 
that a few poultry do not oat more in proportion than when 
many are fed together,- bec.ruse, though our limited ex¬ 
perience on this point seemed to indicate the contrary, yet 
we have never Incd the experiment so accurately as has 
bc‘en done by our correspondent. Ho has proved also, by 
his expeiimcnts, that a Spani.sh Cockerel, weighing on an 
.average (ilbs, and two Spanish Pullets, weighing rather less 
than .bibs. a-]iiece, can bo ke]>t for seven or eight hu-things 
per week each; whilst a Slianghae Cock, weighing lOlbs., 
and two lien.s, weighing 71bs. (we speak within their actual 
weight), cost each from fourteen to tifteen farthings. AVe 
should not he far out, we believe, if we stated that the ex¬ 
periments of “Gallus” demonstrate that Spanish fowls, 
weighing half as much as Shanghae fowls, only eat half as 
much food, whilst they lay as many eggs, and one-thii'd 
lai'ger. Those, therefore, who look to eggs only, will do well 
to keep Spanish fowls. Those who are limited in the space 
they can devote to Poultry; those who must have birds that 
cannot lly over a low fimoe ; those who wish for eggs during 
the winter, and for chickens for the table when only twelve 
weeks old, and for full-grown fowls that will fill a dish like a 
turkey; those who admire gentleness of habit, eleg.ance of 
form, and beauty of colour; and who would have no ob¬ 
jection, as did Mr. Sturgeon, to sell 172 bh-ds for TliOH, will 
keep Shanghaes. The result of that sale gives the verdict of 
tlie public without requiring a jiuy to be nn]3anelled.— 
Kd. C. G.] 
Tone uf Experiment — Oct. 2S to Aon. 4. 
Description 
Age 
'\\''eight 
Oct. 28 
Weight 
Nov. 4 
Quantity 
of food 
consumed 
Cost 
Weekly: 
average 
O tn 
. fcc 
O 
Gold Pheasant Cock 
Gold Pheasant Hen 
Gold Pheasant Ilcn 
1851 
1851 
1851 
Not 
weighed. 
Not 
weighed, j 
Ib.oz. 
Corn 3 (i 
Meal 13 
Hran 1 0 
d. 
3 
1 
d. 
14 
4 isi -ti 
Spanish Cock 
Spatush Hen 
Spanish Hen 
1850 
1851 
185! 
Not 
weighed. 
Not 
weighed. 
Corn 3 8 
Meal 1 3 
IJran 1 0 
34 
14 
4 
G 
6 
5 11 
54 
THE BRST FUCHSIAS. 
At.t.ow me to recommend a few of the best Fuchsias to 
the notice of your readers, and in doing so I W'ould state 
what I consider the properties of a good Fuchsia. 
First, the luhc should be stout, and in due jiroportion to 
the breadth and length of the sepals, which should be broad, 
retaining then- breadth for at least half the length, well 
reflexed, but not turning round like a ram’s-horn, but stand¬ 
ing boldly out, and the tip turning uj) with a gentle curve ; 
the corolla should expand well, so as to form a bell-shape, 
and bo quite even on the edge. 
The following varieties, taking all points, come nearer 
that standard than any others I know. For dark varieties 
take Nil Desperandum, Champion of Enyland, IMayles’ Game 
Bop, and Turner’s Standard ; these, if well managed, are 
not to be beaten by anything yet out. I’or H/jhl varieties, 
Hank's Fl.rpa)i.sio» and Princess, and Kendal’s Beauty Supreme. 
1 know of no Fuchsia, light or dark, having a tube or corolla 
to equal this. It is rather bad to manage, it requires a light 
soil, not much manure, and a little heat to bring the sepals 
up. Mayle’s Bride also recpiires a light soil. Mayle’s Dia¬ 
dem of Flora is a fine greenhouse Hower, but rather too 
coarse for exhibition piu’poses; every cottage gardener 
should grow it. Mr. Harrison, of Darlington, has a first- 
rate light one called Enyland's Glory, if cut blooms form any 
criterion, and I think they arc, any one may purchase this 
without fear of being disappointed. 
Any one who may pui’chase the above-named, and grow 
them well, will not regret the advice given by 
A Lancashire Fuchsia Grower. 
BIHTISH SONG BIRDS. 
THE TITLARK, OR TREE PIPIT. 
Tnsessores Df.ntirostres. Anthidje. 
Ahntda trivialis. Pipit Lark; Ahmda mincer. Tree Pipit; 
Anthiis minor, Field Titling; Anlhns arhorens, 'I’ree Pipit; 
the Titl.'U'k. 
The Tree Pipit appears to be not so generally known as 
to be readily distinguished by unpractised eyes from its 
congener, the Meadow Pipit, while the two are often con¬ 
founded with each other, each being called the 'Titlark. The 
'Tree I’ipit, how'ever, which is the true Titlark (that is, if 
you were to request a bird-catcher to send you a 'Titlark, he 
would, on receiving such order, send the 'Tree Pipit), is a 
summer visitor, one of our migratory birds, arriving here 
about the first fortnight in April, and is instantly known by 
its constant, never vaiying, but cheerful song, which it com¬ 
mences immediately on its arrival. It is usual to observe it 
perched on the topmost branch of the highest trees, when 
every few minutes it uprises into the air some distance, 
uttcaing a’pretty twittering note till it anives at a certain 
height, then, with outspread wings and tail, it gradually 
descends singing its strain, as much like those of a canary 
as it is ])ossible for one bird to sing like that of another; 
this in a few minutes is repeated, in like manner ascending 
and descending, and by a careful observer may be noticed 
evei'y five minutes, or even more frequently. Now', the lord 
with which it is often confounded seldom oi' never perches 
on trees, and as for its song, I can say very little in its 
favour. It may be distinguished from the Meadow Pipit, 
also, first from its being of a lighter colour in its plumage, 
not so green a cast; next, in being a larger bird; and, 
lastly, from its hind claw being shorter, and for that reason 
better enabled to grasp the branch on which it perches. Its 
gait, too, is more stately than the Meadow Pipit, it walks 
along the grass more slowly, and moves its t.ail in a similar 
manner to the IVagtails, while it differs from the Larks in 
being a washer, and not a duster; though in washing itself, 
it does not perform this operation so vigorously as other 
birds, but cautiously sprinkles itself with the water. In its 
habits it is solitaiy, only to be seen in pairs. 
In its natm’al or wild state, the food of the Titlai'k mainly 
consists of insects, such as beetles, grasshoppers. Hies, and 
their lai-va, and worms. It may be readily and easily kept in 
confinement. I have, however, never attempted to keep a 
wild caught bird, as I so much prefer to bring them up from 
the nest, Uiey then become exceedingly tame and familial', 
feeding from the hand most readily and pleasingly. 'The 
food upon which I bring them up is bread and milk boiled 
together, and formed into a stitf paste, with which some 
coarsely pow'dered hempseed has been well mixed ; chopped 
egg, wliite and yoUi together, and crumb of bread mixed 
together or separate, and when able to feed themselves, they 
usually partook of the food common to all. If placed in an 
open aviary their habits are well developed, and they may 
be seen singing on the topmost branch of a treo or porch, 
and occasionally from thence catching insects on the wing. 
Its nest may generally be found on the ground, always well 
concealed, and formetl of such materials as best corresponds 
with the spot selected, but is usually composed of dried 
grasses and fibrous roots, lined with similar matenals of a 
finer quality, and mixed with hah-. The female is a close 
sitter, and is not readily frightened from her liome; but if 
