THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN'S COMPANION, Apbii. 28, 1857, 
blue.” “ You are both wrong,” says the third; ‘ £ they should 
be yellow.” “ It is all a pack of nonsense,” says another. 
“I have bred and bought birds these thirty years, and the 
winning colour is the best.” The truth is that there is no 
colour for the legs. All that is required is that they be all 
similar in the same pen, and, having ascertained that, the 
Judges must then be guided by points on which there is no 
difference of opinion, as shape, &c. 
It is only in very small shows that Duckwings and Reds 
ever compete. They are generally classed “ Black-breasted 
and other Reds,” and then “ Duckwings and other Greys.” 
I quite agi'ee that good Duckwings are the handsomest of 
all; but it is rare now to see any that are equal, setting colour 
aside, to the Reds. We want Mr. Thurnall again among 
them. 
Disqualification should be cautiously adopted, .as the 
exhibitor is not always the peccant party. Disappointment 
and defeat are punishment enough.— Malvolio. 
COMB IN POLAND FOWLS. 
Will you allow me to correct the monstrous assertions 
made in your last two weeks’ papers on the subject of 
Rolands ? A comb in a Poland is the greatest defect that 
can exist, and a total absence of that, as well as of wattles, 
is one of the greatest desiderata of Poland breeders. I am 
speaking now of the bearded varieties, and can only say that, 
as a very large Poland breeder, I should wring the neck of 
the first chicken showing the “noble comb” so much 
admired, by a “ Poland Fancier.” It strikes me that a 
; “ Poland Fancier ” must have got a remarkably bad strain 
of birds, and that the sooner he gets rid of them the sooner 
will he understand what a Poland ought to be. It is per¬ 
fectly well agreed among all breeders that the cock’s crest 
should fall all round. How can this be when it is driven 
back by an impudent-looking malformation of a comb ? No, 
no ; let us have all things in their right places, and as well 
might you recommend breeding Spanish fowls with topknots 
as Polands with combs. 
I quite agree with a “ Poland Fancier ” as to the good 
j laying qualities of the Poland tribe, but consider the Silver 
the best in that respect.—C. E. C. 
FANCY RABBITS. 
As I see that a few hints on Rabbits have been given in 
your paper, allow me, as a fancier of five years’ standing, to 
give your correspondents who are fond of this amusing 
pastime few words as to my experience. 
Your paper of February 24th gave a very interesting 
description of the properties of Rabbits; but some of the 
statements I must be allowed to correct. First, “ P. B.” says 
the longest-eared Rabbit ever bred measured 22 inches in 
length, and 5f inches in breadth. Two years ago I had one 
that measured 22£ inches, and of inches over; but it died 
about eight months ago from old age. Then, again, he 
states 9 lbs. to be the average weight. I have not a Rabbit 
in my hutches, except young ones, that weighs less than 
10 lbs., and the highest is 15 lbs. I trust he will excuse 
these few remarks; but I merely give them to show that 
he is in error. 
I keep my Rabbits in a stable I have had fitted up for the 
1 purpose, and have my hutches placed one over the other, 
slanting them backwards a little, so as to allow the water to 
run oft. I never find that the under hutches suffer from 
those over them. I place them about four feet from the 
wall, and find it answer very well. 
“ Vigilans ” says, Rabbit-keepers do not wish to go to any 
I expense in hutches. I quite agree with him; but still I 
i should nevei think of putting a Rabbit in a tea-chest, much 
less a barrel. I have hutches that cost from 8s. to 25s. and 
80s., and I can assure him that he will find Rabbits thrive a 
hundred times better in proper hutches. I have my hutches 
made of red deal, and some are partly made of oak • but 
I line the bottoms of them with a slab of slate, which I 
cover with sawdust, and keep them cleaned out every day — 
i An Exhibitor of Prize Rabbits. j 
PARROTS AND COCKATOOS BITING- OFF 
THEIR FEATHERS. 
In answer to your correspondent who inquires, What 
will prevent a Cockatoo from biting off its own feathers?” 
I unhesitatingly answer, An unlimited supply of water. I 
think for the sake of the poor birds this ought to be generally 
known, as even a great many dealers have a notion that 
Parrots do not require water. Some time ago I was with my 
wife looking over the collection of an eminent dealer here. 
Mrs. E. was very much astonished with the talking capa¬ 
bilities of a large, white, orange-crested Cockatoo. I ob¬ 
jected to purchase the bird on account of the wretched state 
of its .feathers, many of which were so closely bitten off that 
the stumps were bleeding. The dealer said it was only 
moulting, and would get all right again, so we made the 
purchase. The next day I was informed how the dealer 
congratulated himself upon having “taken in” Mrs. E., he 
having had the bird for some time, and in vain had tried all 
he knew to cure the Cockatoo destroying his plumage. My 
wife took care that the bird always had a good supply of 
water, the result of which is that the bird has become one of 
the finest of its species I ever saw.—W. J. E. 
[The writer of this has sent us his name, and we have no 
doubt that his statement is correct. One of the greatest of 
barbarities attendant upon confining animals is depriving 
them of a free access to water. Dormice, rabbits, Guinea 
pigs, &c., should all have water at their command. It is 
absolutely needed by them.—E d. C. G.J 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Golden-eyed Diver.— “ Can any of your correspondents inform me 
where I can pet a Golden-eyed Diver Drake? We have two Carolina 
Summer Ducks to spare, both of which were bred with us last year.”— 
W. J. Etches, Derby. 
Muscovy Duck (Tyro ).—The Muscovy Duck, although a favourite 
with many, we do not consider by any means profitable to keep. They 
are voracious eaters, and as a table bird are rank and strong. As a bird 
for the market they are very unsaleable. Hempseed, greaves, grains, 
&c., will all stimulate the system, and induce Ducks to lay. 
London: Printed by Hugh Hakclay, Winchester High-street, in 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published for the Proprietors 
at The Cottage Gardener Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in 
the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.—April 28, 1857. 
CHEAPEST PRACTICAL WORK ON CARDENINC. 
On the 30 th instant ivill be published., price Is. 6d., bound in cloth, 
The Garden Manual; or, Practical Xn- 
structions for the Cultivation of all kinds of Vegetables, Fruits, 
and Flowers ; giving directions for the Arrangement and Formation of 
Gardens. With full details of all the operations necessary in the 
Management of the Kitchen Garden, Fruit Garden, Flower Garden, and 
Florists’ Flowers. Illustrated with Engravings and Plans. 
By the Editors and Contributors of The Cottage Gardener. 
London : COTTAGE GARDENER OFFICE, 20, Paternoster Row. 
To be had of all Booksellers. 
CTr-N.B.—This volume includes the four Manuals on the same 
subjects. 
Will be published in the month of May, price 3s. 6 d., bound in cloth, 
gilt edges, 
The British Ferns, Popularly Described 
and Illustrated by Engravings of every Species, forming a Com¬ 
plete History of the Family as regards their Characteristics, Peculiarities, 
Natural Places of Growth, and the most Successful Methods of Culti¬ 
vating them. By GEORGE W. JOHNSON, Esq., Editor of ‘‘The 
Cottage Gardener,” &c. 
London: COTTAGE GARDENER OFFICE, 20, Paternoster Row ; 
and to be had of all Booksellers. 
BEST AND CHEAPEST WORK ON POULTRY. 
Will be published on the 14 th of May, price 0d., 
THE POULTRY BOOK FOR THE MANY, 
Giving full directions for the selection, breeding, management, and 
medical treatment of every description of Poultry, with portraits of 
the principal varieties, and engravings of plans of Poultry Houses and 
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By contributors to The Cottage Gardener and 
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London: COTTAGE GARDENER OFFICE, 20, Paternoster Row; 
to be had of all Booksellers. 
I 
