295 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COU^TRI GENTLEMAN, February 12, 1861. 
recollect rightly it is about 250 grammes, or half a pound, value 
4 francs 50 centimes. 
In England attention to the breeding of domestic Rabbits on 
an extensive scale has never become general. We have noticed 
what Gervase Markham said upon the subject; and in 1718 
we learn from Mr. Bradley that a few persons cultivated Rabbits 
largely. He had engraved a drawing of an artificial warren, 
and of the proceedings of one of these patrons of the Rabbit he 
states the following particulars :— 
“ I shall take notice of something extraordinary relating to a 
warren, as it was contriv’d and practis’d by the late Lady Belassis 
at Kensington; her ladyship, among many other curiosities 
which were cultivated in her gardens, and votaries, disposed one 
part for the breeding and feeding of Rabbets, in such a manner, 
as that, by a constant supply of nourishing food, she might 
draw at any time of the year a sufficient quantity to oblige her 
friends, and serve her table; but to prevent the unsavoury taste 
which generally attends the flesh of tame Rabbets, consulted 
as much as possible the nature of the wild sort, how much the 
•open air was beneficial to them, for this end she wall’d in a 
large square place, and paved it at the bottom, but in some 
parts had large heaps of earth, ram’d hard, and turf’d, for them 
to burrow in; but this, which was her first attempt, fail’d, by 
frequently falling in upon the Rabbets : This however gave her 
no discouragement ; she had a terrass built with arches, and 
fill’d with earth, leaving proper places for the Rabbets to go in 
and out; but still there were many inconveniences, as the falling 
in of the earth, and the males destroying the young ones, besides 
the difficulty of taking them when they are wanted ; but at 
length concluded to build distinct cells for every female, so 
order’d that they might hide themselves at pleasure, or take the 
liberty of the enclos’d ground when they thought fit: these cells 
were cover’d with boards, lying penthouse-wise, made to open at 
discretion, for the better catching the Rabbets, and to prevent 
the destroying of the does that had young ones : Over the 
•entrance of every cell was a trap-door, either for keeping them 
in or out; at the south end was a covered place where a couple 
of buck Rabbets were chain’d for the service of the does, and, 
according to the warreners rule, were enough for twenty five 
couple of females : In this place was their food, which was 
chiefly the refuse of the garden, with some bran and oats, and 
large blocks of chaulk stone, which they frequently eat to prevent 
the rot. 
“The pavement or floor was lay’d slopewise for the better 
carrying off the water, and conveniency of cleaning, which was 
done very often, and contributed greatly to the good thriving of 
the Rabbets.”—( General Treatise on Husbandry , Sfc., i. 21.) 
This example met with but few imitators; and it is only 
since the knowle ige of the vast numbers of Rabbits which are 
imported weekly from Ostend and elsewhere has become diffused 
that attempts are making in many places to breed them in this 
country very largely. 
(To be continued.) 
POULTRY SALES. 
The very full attendance of buyers at Mr. Stevens’ last sale 
proves how strongly the desire to possess good specimens of 
poultry has fixed itself in the minds of the public at large. 
Even those who are not strictly speaking fanciers, and who 
never contemplate becoming exhibitors, are generally ashamed 
of the comparatively useless set of mongrels that they formerly 
tolerated, and require birds that are of a more valuable character, 
either as table fowls or egg-producers. 
And whilst the poultry mania is at an end, and persons have 
given over the idea of making a fortune by keeping six hens and 
a cock, there is a steady demand for really good birds of all 
varieties. Even Game fowds, that for some reason or other 
seldom produce their value at King Street, sold at a very fair 
price on Tuesday last. Good Dorkings are always in demand 
at this season, and the few cocks in the sale went for more than 
they were really worth. Some Sebrights of Mr. Leno’s realised 
10s. to 12s. each. 
Mr. Everett’s Carriers were good, some very good, and the 
result was that prices varied from 10s. to 50s. each. Mr. Chalker 
sent some good Carriers, but rather too fine and racehorse-like 
for the London fanciers. But, being most useful as crosses for 
heavier birds, they elicited some brisk competition amongst some 
four or five of the best breeders. Amongst Toy Pigeons, a pair 
of Turbits produced nearly £1, although the cock only was good. 
The sudden rise in the demand for this pretty breed is evidently 
due to the £5 prize offered for the best pair at the forthcoming 
Preston Show. 
We are glad to see so steady and wholesome a demand for 
really good and useful stock of all descriptions. 
THE CANARY AND THE BRITISH FINCHES. 
(Continued from 'page 216 ) 
6.—THE REDPOLL (Frmgilla Linaria). 
German, Flaehsfink or Bergzeisig. French, Sizeriu or Altarin. 
The Redpoll is ihe smallest of our British Finches. It derives 
its name from the red spot, of a fine carmine shade, on the top of 
the head or poll. In general plumage they are of a dark greyish- 
brown above, and lightish beneath. The primary covert-feathers 
of the wings have a broad yellowish-grey margin, which form a 
sort of bar across the wings. Beneath the beak is a black spot, 
and the breasts of the cocks are blushed with a rosy-red colour. 
Like the Linnet, they lose this red colour at the first moult 
in confinement, which is exchanged for a yellowish shade. 
The red on the head also changes to a greenish-orange. The 
beak is small, pointed, and rather flattened at the sides, of a 
yellowish colour with a brown tip. The wings are large in pro¬ 
portion to the size of the bird, and it has great powers of flight. 
So active are they that I have found them the most difficult of 
all cage birds to catch in the aviary, or when let loose in a room. 
They are partially migratory in habit, breeding in the north 
and making their appearance in large flocks in winter, generally 
in company of the Siskins. They frequent the alders and 
willow's. They are often caught in great numbers by the London 
bird-catchers in the clapnet; and they also readily enter the 
trap-cage to a call bird. When the flights are about, they are 
sold very cheap in London, Id. or 1 \d. only being asked for 
fresh-caught birds. 
Although they mostly retire in spring and breed in the north, 
yet a few remain and breed in England, at which time they are 
said to be much shyer than in winter. The nest is described as 
being a very small and neat structure, something resembling a 
Goldfinch’s nest. 
The eggs are said to be of a pale greenish-blue, spotted with 
browm at the larger end. They are very lively and active birds, 
climbing about the cage or among the branches often with their 
backs downwards like the Titmice, continually chattering and 
frequently uttering their shrill cry, “ Kevit, Kevit,” by which 
they may easily be recognised on the wing. From their docile and 
active habits, and the ease with which they are kept, they are 
general favourites with the young bird fanciers. Tlieir song is 
little more than a prolonged sprightly chatter, but their ways 
and manners are pleasing and attractive, ever on the move and 
continually billing and feeding their companions in a very gentle 
and affectionate manner. 
In 1847, I bred a Mule between a cock Redpoll and hen 
Canary. It bore much resemblance to the Redpoll, but was 
rather larger, though not so large as the Canary. The colour 
between that of a grey Canary and a Redpoll, the breast yellow, 
a black spot beneath the bill, and a few' white feathers in the tail. 
It was a cock and a merry singer, though it had not a strong 
voice. In 1848 he paired with a hen Canary ; they built, laid, 
sat, and hatched four young ones. These, however, bore no 
resemblance to a Redpoll, being in all respects like Grey Linnet 
Mules ; and as there were tw T o cock Linnets loose in the room, I 
make no doubt one of them was the real parent, although the 
Redpoll Mule acted in every respect as their father. From their 
hardy constitution and tractable nature, they are the birds most 
frequently taught to draw their ow'n w'ater and work for their 
food. There are various devices and different forms of cages for 
