] 
19 < * 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 22 , 1857. 
OUR LETTER BOX, 
Ducks with Projecting Feathers.—“1 have lately received a 
couple of clucks from a friend. The Body of the drake is mostly 
pencilled feathers, but so fine, as to give "an appearance in the dis¬ 
tance, of a light silver grey ; but there ar 6 some other coloured feathers 
in the tail and wing. Those in the tail forming a sort of fan. The 
i head is a pretty green, and bill much the same as in the Rouen duck. 
The duck is very like a Rouen, both in marking and size, but what 
puzzles us is, some two or three strong feathers closely knit together, 
projecting upwards, from each of the wings of both birds. Can you 
give us the name of them, and any other information respecting their 
treatment?”—C. M. J. 
[Although such ducks as are here described are not common, vet 
most persons who have had much experience in poultry, have more 
than once seen instances of these projecting feathers. We once had 
j some brown Call Ducks, and bred from them some years in succession. 
One or two of the brood always came into the world with what we 
called “twisted flights,” i.c., the last four feathers of the wings were 
twisted outwards, as though the tip of the wing had been broken and 
displaced. We have also seen it in Cochin fowls, especially in the 
cocks. The colour of the drake would be that of a Rouen going out of 
colour, when the grey of the sides gradually encroaches on the roan 
breast, till the latter disappears, and the bird becomes a bluish-grey 
colour; every feather, on being examined, proving to be most de¬ 
licately pencilled. Our impression is, that this is an accidental variety ; 
but we shall be glad if this notice produces proof that it is a distinct 
breed.] 
Pencilled versus F pangi.ed Hambcrgiis. —“At a Poultry Show 
held in connection with an Agricultural one, in a county bordering on 
London, a dispute arose as to the qualifications of these two varieties, 
when both shown for one prize. The list merely specified that prizes 
were to be given for the best, and second-best, Silver Hamburglis, and 
a like number for Gold Hamburglis. This, of course, included both 
Spangled and Pencilled in each class : and the result was, that the first 
prize for Silver Hamburglis, was given to a pen of the Pencilled 
variety. My purpose in now writing to you is, to inquire—If a large 
size be a qualification in the Pencilled birds, or if it be a defect? I 
also want to know whether they, or the Spangled variety, ought to be 
the larger; other points being the same : and if you will tell me what 
the weight of good birds ought to be ; as I find there is much dif¬ 
ference of opinion in the points which constitute a first-class bird : but 
where two varieties are shown together, the merits of each ought to be 
known. And as, in the case alluded to, the Pencilled birds were 
certainly as large as the Spangled ones, the question is—Were the 
Judges acting right, in giving it the preference; other points as to the 
respective merits of the two pens being alike, or supposed to be so?” 
—H. L. T. 
[The Pencilled Hamburgh is not a large fowl, nor should it be; but 
there is no particular weight recognised as a standard of excellence. 
We have never heard of tlieir being weighed, and cannot, therefore, 
specify any rule in that respect. As a rule, the Pencilled are somewhat 
less than the Spangled : but if perfect birds were shown, it would be no 
demerit that they were as large as their Spangled competitors. Your 
own question shows, that in such a class a hardship is put upon the 
Judge by mixing two distinct breeds in one class, seeing there maybe a 
perfect pen in each. The rules of excellence are, however, a veil under¬ 
stood in both, and easier of attainment in the Pencilled than the 
Spangled. We blame the mixture of the two: but if size were the only 
fault in the successful Pencilled pen, the Judges were, no doubt, right.] 
Spurs op a Gamp, Hex ( Southern Cross) .—Although some breeds 
always throw them, yet spurs in Game hens are the exceptions, and, in 
most cases, accidents. They are, therefore, immaterial; and a hen 
with one or two spurs may be sent with another lacking them altogether. 
Jt is not so, however, with feather. In this respect the liens in a pen 
should be counterparts one of the other. 
I claim of priority of race for the Silver Duckwing Greys to be eon- I 
I sidored correct ? and would it, by so much, give them precedence 'of (he 
I copper-saddled birds? Again, am 1 to understand that the hens of the ! 
Silver Duckwing Grey should have the hackle clear instead of pencilled, 
and that it is in this respect only that they differ from the hens of the ! 
copper-saddled birds ? Again, are Judges decided in a preference for i 
white or blue legs, as ‘North Country Amateur’ advocates for 
both these varieties of Duckwing? In the cock of the Brown-red 
variety, should the preference he given to a black breast, to a whole 
coloured red, or to a starling or speckled breast ? Also, is it admissible 
to have the primary wing feathers bay, as in the Black-breasted Beds ? 
It is supposed that the hens to be matched are those with black bodies I 
and golden hackles. On one point more I am at fault. Should the J 
short feathers of Game fowls, those on the back for example, be as i 
pointed as possible, as in the Partridge, or would the rounded end be 
equally characteristic ? ”— Tyro. \ 
j [We have every desire to give you all the information you ask for; but ' 
i in the face of the conflicting opinions of breeders, who evidently bring 
experience and intelligence to hear on the question, we do so, believing 
j ourselves to he right, but without in any way impugning their asser¬ 
tions. There always has been, and there al ways will be, much variety 
i of opinion on Game fowls in the minor points' of plumage. In other j 
! particulars it is necessary to bear in mind that some view and judge a j 
j Game cock only as a bird of combat, and sw r ear by those that have 
borne themselves best; while others see them solely as of beautiful 
plumage and symmetry. We have always seen preference given to 
copper-saddled Duckwings; nor do we believe Silver Duckwings have 
any merit in Judges’ eyes over the others. The hens of the latter 
should have lighter hackles than the former. The question of legs 
will always remain an open one, and can only be compared to tiie 
“ Cameleon,” which we would paraphrase— 
“ Nor wonder if you find that none 
Prefer your Duckwings to his own.” 
The positive requisite is, that all the legs in a pen should he similar to i 
a shade. If all the Game breeders were summoned to give their 
opinions on the subject, every colour would have Its supporters, and 
each body would declare its own to be the only correct one ; whether 
blue, willow, yellow, or white. The willow is certainly a favourite 
colour for Black-breasted Reds, and blue for Duckwings. The breast 
of the Brown-red should be neither black nor red, but a mixture of j 
the two blended together; the shafts of the feathers being distinctly 
marked. The primary wing feathers may be bay ; but if 'mixed with j 
black, so much the better. The hens should not have black bodies, but I 
brown. The saddle feathers of all Game cocks should be pointed. It i 
is very difficult to assign priority in antiquity to one breed over another. 
These fowls were kept exclusively for fighting more than a century 
and a half ago: and there is no doubt birds were constantly crossed ! 
with others that had proved themselves worthy champions, with a view ! 
to secure properties valuable in the pit, hut without reference to colour ! 
either of legs or plumage.] 
. Pigeons Diseased (J. Bottrill). —I am not acquainted with the 
disease like the roup ; hut, from the symptoms, would advise five or six 
grains of tartar emetic to be dissolved in a quart of spring water, and given 
the sick birds; a teaspoonful morning and evening. Avoid draughts ; 
and let them have a Lettuce to peck. At first, perhaps, they may be 
afraid of it; but after a time they will much enjoy one occasionally, or 
any smooth-leaved greens.—B. P. B. 
Antwerp Pigeon {Birmingham). —Your Constant Reader will find 
a full description of the Antwerp in the number for Sept. 29th, 1857. 
Also of its varieties or crosses in that of Oct. Cth. 
LONDON MARKETS. —December 21st. 
Colour and Weight of Dorkings.— “ In Scotland we are rather 
fastidious as to the colour of Dorking cocks. Will you, please, say 
whether a little white on the breast, and some white feathers in the tail 
of a cock, would be a disqualification? or would a cock of this description 
be beaten by another with black breast and tail, provided all other 
things were equal ? \\ hat weight should first-class Dorking cockerels 
and pullets be about eight or nine months old ?”—L. 
[ihc close adherence to any particular leather or colour in Dorking 
cocas is, in our opinion, a mistake; and in this we are supported by all 
our best Judges. A proof of our assertion may be found in the decisions 
at the late Birmingham Show. Some breeds are judged by feather, as 
l olanns, Hamburglis, and some classes of Game ; also Bantams. In 
these no merit of shape or size can palliate a faultv feather : but in the 
Dorkings the desiderata are perfect symmetry and large size. Now, 
tnr K°‘ S nv UHeS ’i , he lar L e , st ? orkin " cocks will be found to have white 
'r K P c< ; klcs » o 1 ^ the breast. If the two cocks were equal in all 
11 would be preposterous to decide in favour of one, be- 
.TiJ J "" 1 black breast and tail; and against another, because he 
; ' “ ire 'l 1 wbltc - Lie Dorking is essentially a table fowl; and 
inAiV ,, ,, o 1S n lts , * mp01 ' t;mt l )oi nts. A first-class Dorking 
N ck ’ at 1 niu . e , nionths old, should weigh S lbs., and pullets 6 lbs. or 6 A lbs. 
mnn < 0 A"" !ls wcl1 m Possible, when, for the first six 
thei1 bt ' ln f’ . tbp - v m ? kc 1 lb - l>cr month. We have given the 
tbevn h ?s «« « q p C fi t ? d ° Irs . , ," 1 e ;uss bu ds i but > it must be borne in mind, 
dieie is no such tiling possible as to breed all of that quality.] 
niSktri«* T r Ul!!TICS r OK ■ B V?' v,NO Game.— “Ambitious of breeding 
iinm-V u m" 10 ’ prize-taking qualify, but perplexed bv thccon- 
‘ 1 » u,t h iY° 1;itol y appeared in your columns from 
cnmmnf v ’ Couxtuy Amateur,’ and others, as to the 
winn t rll* I ' 1 Cr - 4 t u °l thc ^PPn -saddled birds, and the Gi/rrr Buck- 
(See n.u'c'm o Srt(lllle iis near as possible to white.’ 
would be Lrivp’n hv '7 ’i *’ ’ "! a - v * ask to which variety preference 
they vvci eVthoVvvi d SU PP° S 1 P«' Pens of each exhibited, and that 
iney were otherwise of equal merits? In short, is ‘Newmarket’s’ 
COVENT GARDEN. 
Abundant supplies of both in-door and out-door produce; and a 
slight improvement in the trade. Bears now comprise Gloat Morceau, 
Chaimontelle, Jean de. Witte, Beurrc d'Aremberg, and Nelis 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. 
The approach of Christmas has given a little life to the' market; 
luit, as we go to press some days before half the goods arc sold, wc can 
give quotations only to that time. 
Cock Turkeys 
12 *. 
Each. 
0 d. to 21 s. 
0 d. 
Teal. 
.. Is. 
E 
3d 
ich. 
to Is. Of/. 
Hen do. .. 
6 
0 
„ 12 
0 
Woodcocks... 
... 3 
0 
„ 3 
*> 
9 i 
Capons . 
7 
0 
„ 8 
0 
Snipes.... 
.. 1 
0 
» 1 
2 
Fowls. 
3 
(i 
„ 5 
0 
Pheasants ... 
9 
(> 
,, 3 
0 
Chickens. 
2 
3 
9 
f J w 
9 
Partridges ... 
.. l 
0 
„ 1 
8 i 
Geese .. 
« 
0 
„ 1 
o 
Hares. 
2 
0 
9 
(J 
Ducks. 
2 
0 
9 
9 
Rabbits . 
.. i 
4 
,, i 
5 
W ild ditto ... 
*) 
w 
0 
9 
5) 
*| 
Wild ditto ... 
.. 0 
9 
„ o 
10 i 
London : Printed by Hugh Barcl. 
iy, Winchester, 
High-street, in 
the 
J J. uoimiauiui WAV A 1 U[li lUlUl b y UL 
Ihk Cottage Gardener Office, No. 20 , Paternoster Row, in the 
Parish ot Christ Church, City of London,—December 22, 1857. 
