69 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, October 30, 1860. 
I see no reason why we cannot have a standard of perfection 
laid down and approved by all, or a majority of well-known 
Judges in different parts of the country. It is really no use 
trying to breed perfect birds, for when that is attained we are on 
the highest acknowledged authority informed they are not what 
they ought to be, and something fresh is required—nay, some¬ 
thing which is considered a fault and in direct opposition to the 
almost-universally-acknowleoged points of excellence. 
If we have not some fixed rule it will be necessary to know 
who is to be the Judge, so that we may show birds to suit the 
taste of each. It may appear strange, but there is no doubt 
some exhibitors do know many of the likes and dislikes of some 
Judges; and I have often heard very amusing remarks when 
looking out birds for a Show, such as, “ Oh, it’s no rise sending 
that bird, for Mr.-is sure to be Judge, and he likes them 
so and so.” 
If Spangled Hamburghs with laced wings are to be the fashion 
(and there is no doubt those that take prizes will be so), we 
shall soon have plenty at the various Shows ; but to be first at 
one, and disqualified at the next will make a fool of the fancy- 
in fact, it is impossible that such opposite requirements can be 
carried out, except by showing a pen of each kind. Now, both 
cannot be right—one or the other must be wrong, and I should 
be very glad if this matter can be settled through the medium of 
your valuable and interesting paper. 
I hope other fanciers will give us their opinion on the subject, 
as it must be very interesting to all breeders of Golden and 
Silver-spangled Hamburghs.— John Thornton. 
FROME POULTRY EXHIBITION. 
The first Poultry Show which was ever held at Frome came 
■off in connection with the Frome Agricultural Society on 
Wednesday, October 24th. 
It was held under a commodious shed in a field kindly lent 
for the occasion by John Sinkins, Esq., and considering it was a 
first attempt, passed off very satisfactorily. Owing to the limited, 
and in some instances exclusive, arrangement of the prize list, the 
number of pens entered was somewhat small; but amongst them 
were many very excellent specimens. 
The first class which appeared on the prize list was the Game, 
and, for the locality, they made a very fair show; but the ex¬ 
hibitors did not pay sufficient attention to the legs of their birds 
matching. Mr. Elling, of Sutton, obtained the first prize with 
a pen of old Black-breasted Reds, which, considering the season, 
were'shown in very good condition. Mr. Dupe obtained second 
with another pen of Black Reds. He also had a pen of Duck- 
wings commended, but which were in such condition as to forfeit 
all chance of their winning. The hens iu Mr. Smith’s pen were 
also meritorious, but the manner in which his cock bird was 
trimmed lost him all chance of success. 
The next class was the Dorkings, and the prize chickens will, 
we think, be heard of at larger Shows. In fact they were so fine 
that we almost think there must have been some mistake made 
in their age, as they were entered as hatched on the 6tli of May. 
They were remarkably fine, and the cock had the plumage of a 
two-year-old bird. They were evidently chickens of 1860, but if 
hatched so late as May, they do great credit to their keep, as 
they are quite as forward as most of the January chickens. Mr. 
Hanks was a good second. 
The next class we came to decidedly contained the best birds 
in the Show, and this was the Spanish. Mr. Rodbard was, of 
course, first and second, with two splendid pens of chickens. Mr. 
Elliott’s highly commended pen were also meritorious, but they 
require age. 
In the class for Silver-pencilled Hamburghs but one pen com¬ 
peted, and to them the prize was awarded. In this class were 
entered some Silver-spangled ; but as there was no prize offered 
for them they were no eligible. 
The Ducks were by far the most numerous class, and contained 
many excellent birds. Mr. Hanks showed some very fine Ayles¬ 
bury, but they had to succumb to Mr. Ponting’s Rouens, which 
were good in plumage and considerably exceeded Mr. Hanks’ 
Aylesburys in Bize and weight. The drake in this pen was one of 
the largest we ever saw. 
The Geese and Turkeys formed two good classes. 
Before concluding our report, we must mention that the Frome 
Agricultural Society are much indebted to the lady of their noble 
President, the Earl of Cork, for being the means of such an 
extensive attraction being added to their Show, for by her was 
given all the first prizes. That it was a very valuable addition 
to the Show there could be no possible doubt; for no person could 
see the number of ladies that were crowding round the pens, and 
not see that the poultry, not the cattle, wa 9 the portion of| the 
Show which brought them to the field. We have no doubt that 
with a little better arrangement of the prize list another year, 
there will be a much larger Show; but this year a great many 
would-be exhibitors were prevented entering on account of there 
being no class for their birds to compete in. The Committee are 
evidently anxious to make such alterations as will render it a 
thorough good Show, and with such an energetic and obliging 
Honorary Secretary as Mr. Harding, there cannot be the lea* 
doubt but that they will do so. Many of the aristocracy of tha 
neighbourhood visited the field during the day, including the 
Marquis of Bath, Lord Edward Thynne, Lord H- Thynne, Sir 
William Joliffe, &c., and there was a goodly number of less 
aristocratic visitors, the day being a most propitious one. 
Game— First, R. Elling, Little Sutton. Second, S, Dupe, Evercreech. 
Dorkings. — First, W. F. Knatohbull, M.P., Babington. Second, 
F. Crang, Timsbury, near Bath. 
Spanish.— First and Second, J. R. Rodbard, Wrington, Bristol. 
Hamburghs (Silver-pencilled).—First, D. Phipps, Devizes. (Second not 
awarded.) 
Ducks.— First, E. Ponting, Whatley. Second, G. Hanks, Malmesbury. 
Geese.— First, I. Cox, Whatley. Second, Card, Norton Ferris. 
Turkeys.— First, E. P. Sly, Thoulstone Farm. Second, J. White, Zeals 
Farm. 
Poultry Commended.— Game.— Messrs. Smith, Westbury ; Mr. For- 
teous, Marston; S. Dupe, Evercreech. [Dorking.—G. Hanks, Malmesbury. 
Spanish. —W. R. Elliot, Plymouth. Ducks. —F. Smith, jun., Westbury; 
F. Crang, Timsbury, Bath; R. Elling, Little Sutton. Geese.—J. Ashby, 
Eggford ; S. Rossiter, Monksham Farm ; S. Giblett, Bollow. Turkeys.— 
F. Crang, Timsbury (extra class). Hamburghs (Silver-pencilled).—B, 
Grant, Frome. 
Mr. George Saunders Sainsbury, of Rowde, near Devizes, acted 
as Judge. 
PIGEONS IN A CONFINED SPACE. 
Will fancy Pigeons breed and keep in health in confinement 
—that is, in a pen out of doors, about six feet broad and long, 
and the same in height ? How many could I keep in an enclosure 
of those dimensions, and what sort would be most suitable? 
What should I require in the way of fittings up—boxes, 
perches, &e. ? —Fancier. 
[You will find the place you mention large enough for about 
two pairs of the larger fancy breeds, or three or four of the 
smaller sorts ; but it would accommodate more if they were 
allowed to fly out. Each pair should have two nests, and each 
pair of nests should be placed as far apart as possible, to prevent 
quarrelling.—B. P. B.] 
Lord Tredegar’s Poultry Show.— It will be seen 
in our list of Poultry Shows when this Exhibition takes place. 
We wish it could have been more distant from that at the 
Crystal Palace. The prizes are liberal, ranging from 10s. to £2 , 
and the total to be distributed amounts to £60. There are, 
also, distinct classes for cottagers. 
THE CANARY AND THE BRITISH FINCHES, 
(Continued from page 13.) 
10th Variety.—Scotch Fancy. 
Having noticed that the schedules of the Glasgow and Edin¬ 
burgh Exhibitions of Canaries, awarded prizes almost exclusively 
to Scotch Fancy Canaries, I became curious to know if these 
birds had anything peculiar about them. On inquiry I found, 
that the Scotch, true to their national character, had raised a 
variety of Canary peculiarly their own. For the accompanying 
description I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. J. Ruthven, of 
Glasgow. He says :—“ In reference to Canaries, I enclose a 
drawing of our Scotch Fancy. This will give you some idea of 
the Scotch Fancy, but action and nerve are the peculiar features. 
The handsomest-shaped birds, and the most lively that ever was 
in a cage. That is our opinion. 
“ Their shape is circled, and they should stand well up. The 
cages are furnished with two spars, eight or nine inches apart. 
The leap, the wheel or turn rouud, and the drawing themselves 
up with a quick lively motion and great nerve, are amongst their 
peculiarities. 
“ They have no rise on the shoulder, and they should have a 
