■THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 15, 1857. 
172 
fairly, when lie meets with a class where there are six distinct 
breeds, and only two prizes to he awarded, and in each 
breed a pen equal in all points. This is the class where 
the Bantam exhibiter has most cause to complain. I trust the 
Yorkshire Committees will not overlook the Bantam classes 
in the forthcoming season.— Little Sister Dandy. 
BELGIUM CANARIES. 
In reading over your most valuable paper, I find an adver¬ 
tisement headed “Belgium Canarieswhich goes on to say 
that the advertiser lias several pairs for sale from Nottingham 
hens, and by W. Brown’s cocks, that took the two first 
prizes at the All-England Show, Nottingham, in 1856. I his 
is not correct. The Show came off in January, 185/ ; and 
was, I believe, the first of the kind ever held in England. I 
was fortunate, and took the two first prizes ; and my father a 
second prize. I have the two birds by me at the present 
time, neither have they been out of my possession: and how 
Oliver Nicholson, of Eareham, can have the impudence to 
advertise birds from my stock I should like to know. Surely 
it is done to deceive the public.— William Brown, 41, 
Great Hampton Street , Birmingham. 
PIGEONS. 
TOYS. 
Variety 9.—THE PRIEST PIGEON (Coltmla sacerdos ). 
French. German. 
Pig-eon Coqtjille Russe. Die Peafeen Tattbe. 
The Priests are another order of the monastic Toys; they 
seem very plentiful in Saxony, and their French name points 
also to Russia; they derive their name from being hooded, 
and having the crown of the head white, bearing some re¬ 
semblance to the shaven tonsure of the Catholic priests. 
They are about the size, or slightly stouter than a common 
dove-house Pigeon, to which they are closely allied ; but have 
broad turned crowns, and the feet are generally somewhat 
feathered; the eyes are gravel coloured, but frequently broken, 
or half dark, and half gravel. 
The chief point is the tonsure. The upper mandible must 
be white, and the whole of the top of the head; the line of 
division passing from the corners of the mouth across the eyes, 
and evenly around the inner side of the hood; the rest of 
the plumage being of some of the following colours :— 
Herr Gottlob Numeister, enumerates five varieties of colour. 
1. The Black Priest Pigeon, without or with white wing- 
bars, and also with spangled shoulders. 
2. The Blue Priests, which have the same markings as the 
preceding. 
3. The Red Priest. Of these he remarks they are rarely 
met with, with white wing-bars, in which case the flight and 
tail are too often strawberry or mealy ; but it is desirable that 
the whole feather should be a fine dark-brown red. 
4. The Yellow Priest has the same markings as the Red, but 
is more difficult to obtain with white wing-bars. 
5. The clear Blue Priest. This, with the exception of the 
white tonsure, is of a beautiful light or mealy blue, without 
any other marks, not even black wing-bars. 
I he Priest Pigeons are considered excellent breeders, and 
field well. A sub-variety is also known in Germany, as the 
White-tailed Priest, or Pilferer. They differ from the foregoing 
only in having white tails, but are rarely so accurately 
marked. 
Ike German Monch, or Monk Pigeon, is another of these 
Toy ecclesiastics. They are also rather stouter than the 
Dovehouse, and are not quite so active as the Priests ; their 
bi easts and backs are broad, the head smooth, and the feet 
are heavily feathered; their heads, tails, flights, and feathered 
feet, are u kite, and the rest of the body coloured; as black, 
blue, red or yellow ; some of them have white wing-bars ; the 
red and yellow very rarely. 
I have seen some of these Blue Monks, with spangled 
shoulders. All have mud eyes ; and they may be regarded as 
Toy Bald-heads. J 
The Capuchin is a very similar variety, if, indeed, it bo 
worthy of such consideration ; it differs from the Monk, in 
having a hood or turned crown, and bare feet. They are of 
various colours ; but I never saw any with white wing-bars or 
spangled shoulders. 
Tastes may differ, but I cannot see any advantage in cul¬ 
tivating these Bald-head Toys ; for, since we already possess 
Bald-head Tumblers, and Jacobins ; and in Germany, Bald- 
headed Trumpeters and Powters, are obtainable ; these have 
not even the plea of novelty of marking, to repay us for our 
trouble of breeding them to feather.—B. P. Brent. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Eggs (A Constant Subscriber). —You never will have a good supply 
from your Dorkings in winter. At this season, pullets of Buff or Dark- 
feathered Cochin-Chinas will lay plentifully. 
Points in the Andalusian [An Old Subscriber) It is not required 
in an Andalusian fowl to have as much white face as the Spanish. There 
should, nevertheless, be some. White legs would certainly he a dis¬ 
advantage, if not a disqualification. Andalusians, as the name indicates, 
are a Spanish fowl, and have some points in common, although they are 
not so positively insisted upon. 
Spanish Cockerels’ Combs {E. II .).—It is difficult to point out 
what you desire. It has almost disappeared; hut there was a breed in 
which every comb fell naturally over, and became a fixture. It could not 
be raised without operating. Even now you will see some cock chickens 
whose combs fall over from the time of hatching. If you can contrive 
to fasten the comb in an upright position for a time, it will retain it. 
Gloucestershire Poultry Show.— “ In reading your report of the 
Gloucestershire Agricultural Society’s Poultry Show,"l observe an error 
with regard to the weight of the Rouen Ducks. The heaviest pen being 
stated at 15} lbs. I beg to state that the weights of my two pens of 
Rouens were, respectively, 18 lbs. and 21 lbs.; and that of the Toulouse 
Geese 48 lbs.”— William Joshua. 
Diseased Wings in Pigeons.— “ I shall he obliged if you can suggest 
the cause of, or a remedy for, a complaint which, within the last week 
or two, has attacked some of my Pigeons. The symptoms are a swelling 
in the joint of the wing ; the wing a} the same time dropping, so that 
the tips of the flight-feathers touch the ground as the bird walks; and 
causing a great difficulty in flying. The birds are in very good con¬ 
dition and feather, and' appear in every respect quite healthy. They 
are confined in a large room, not crowded; are supplied with "plenty of 
fresh water, salt, old mortar-.rubbish, and sand; in fact, are well 
cared for, but have not their liberty.”—A. X. 
[I am not practically acquainted with the disease “A. X.” com¬ 
plains of. It is probably either “the flesh wen,” or “bone wen,” 
treated of by the old writers. In Mr. Eaton’s edition of the works on 
Pigeons, occurs the following :—“ The flesh wen is no more than a fleshy 
tumour, arising on the joints of the wings and legs. This may be 
either cut off, or opened; and after having taken out the kernel, wash 
it with alum water.” “ The bone wen is an ossificated tumour arising 
upon the joints as before. This is seldom or never cured, and the 
Pigeon that is affected with it will never breed. Some pretend to cure 
it by a composition of quick-lime and black soap ; but if you make it too 
strong, or let it lie on too long, it will take off the leg or other part 
that it is applied to, for it is a caustic.” I can only suggest a change of 
water and green food, as a probable preventive.— B. P. Brent.] 
LONDON Mx\RKETS. —DecembePv 14th. 
COVERT GARDEN. 
Abundant supplies of both in-door and out-door produce; and a 
slight improvent in the trade. I’ears now comprise Clout Moreeau, 
Chaumontelle , Jean de Witte, Beurre d’Aremberg, and Nells d’Hirer, 
with some inferior varieties. From the Continent and elsewhere, large 
consignments of Grapes, Oranges, Apples, &c., reach us in good con¬ 
dition. The stock of Potatoes here, and at the water side, is still heavy, 
and likely to continue so while the weather is so open. Top samples 
have advanced 7s. to 10s. per ton this week. 
POULTRY. 
There has been a slight improvement in trade during the past week, 
and the over-supply of Game appears to be checked; but it has been 
such as has never before been seen. 
Each. 
Each. 
Large fowls.... 
.. 5s. 0 d. 
to 5s. 
Cut. 
Grouse. 
... Is. 9 d. to 2s. 
0 d 
Smaller do. 
.. 3 
6 
>> 4 
0 
Snipes . 
... 0 
9 
99 
1 
3 
Chickens . 
.. 2 
0 
9 
G 
Hares . 
2 
0 
99 
2 
G 
Turkeys . 
.. 6 
0 
„ 15 
0 
Rabbits. 
... 1 
4 
99 
1 
5 
Geese. 
.. G 
0 
.. 6 
6 
Wild ditto .. 
... 0 
8 
0 
9 
Ducks . 
2 
6 
Q 
9 
Pheasants .. 
... 1 
9 
99 
2 
6 
Wild ditto .... 
.. i 
9 
9 
5) ^ 
0 
Partridges .. 
... 1 
G 
99 
1 
9 
Teal . 
.. 0 
10 
„ 1 
0 
Pigeons. 
... 0 
9 
99 
0 
10 
Larks, per dozen, 0.?. 8 d. to Os. 10c7. 
London : Printed by Hugh Barclay, 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.—December 15, 1857. 
