THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, January 12, 1858. 
Turkeys. —First, R. Brand. Second, J. R. Rodbard. Third, T. 
Williams. Poults. —First, R. Brand. Second, W. Cox. Third, Miss 
I. G. Loi’aine. 
Guinea Fowl. —Prize, Miss F. Macdonald. 
KIRKCALDY POULTRY' AND FANCY BIRD 
SHOW. 
The second annual exhibition of Poultry and Fancy Birds 
was held in the Assembly Rooms on Monday last; when a 
large and an excellent show of stock was exhibited, which 
attracted a very large assemblage from all parts of the country 
to witness it. 
It would be invidious to particularise where all were so 
good ; but it may be said, without any hesitation, that the 
Spanish , both old and young, were very superior, and much 
better than last season. 
The show of Dorkings was also considerably improved from 
last years ; and there were many more exhibitors from the 
country than before. 
The Cochins were well represented by Lord Loughborough, 
and Mr. Redpath, Edinburgh, who showed some beautiful 
fowls. 
The show of Game birds was large, and there were some 
very fine specimens of these noble birds ; but several of the 
pens were badly matched. The Bantams, Ducks, Turkeys , 
and JPigeons were few, but good of their kinds. 
Some other very beautiful fowls were also sent in for exhi¬ 
bition, including Siberians, Golden-spanglecl Hamburghs , &c. 
The Judges were Messrs. Brown and Stewart, Perth.* 
The Sweepstakes in each class were for birds of any age, and 
open to all Scotland. 
Spanish (bred by Members in 1857).—First (Silver Medal), J. Red- 
path, Edinburgh. Second, R. Lockhart, Kirkcaldy. Third, —Cameron, 
Balbarton. 
Dorkings (bred by Members in 1857).—First (Silver Medal), Mrs. 
Oswald, Dunnikier. ' Second, Rev. — Haxton, Pathhead. Third, A. 
Lockhart, Kirkcaldy. 
Cochins (bred by Members in 1857.) — First (Silver Medal), and 
Second, Lord Loughborough. Third, J. L. Gow, Raith. 
Aylesbury Ducks (bred by Members in 1857).—First (Silver Medal), 
Col. Ferguson, M.P., Raith. (Second and Third withheld.) 
Spanish (Sweepstakes).—-First, J. Redpath,Edinburgh. Second, R. 
Lockhart, Kirkcaldy. Third, J. Jamieson, Kirkcaldy. 
Dorkings (Sweepstakes).—First, A. Lockhart, Kirkcaldy. Second, 
T. Y. Darling, Skeddoway. Third, J. Jameison, Kirkcaldy. 
Cochins (Sweepstakes).—First, J. Redpath, Edinburgh. Second, 
Lord Loughborough, Dysart House. Third, Mrs. T. Peter, Methel 
Hill, Kirkland. 
Game (Sweepstakes).—First, T. Blyth, Borland, Dysart. Second, 
D. Jackson, Burnt Island. Third, J. Stocks, Burnt Island. 
Bantams (Sweepstakes).—First and Third, J. Young, Newbegging, 
Burnt Island. Second, J. Redpath, Edinburgh. 
Ducks (Sweepstakes).—First and Third, J. Jameison, Kirkcaldy. 
Second, J. Young, Newbegging, Burnt Island. 
Turkeys (Sweepstakes).—First, J. Young, Newbegging, Bt. Island. 
Second, Col. Ferguson, M.P., Raith. 
Pouter Pigeons.— First and Second, J. McLean, Edinburgh. 
Parrots. —Prize, G. D. Lockhart, Kirkcaldy. 
Canaries. — Yellow Cock. —First, J. Rodger, Pathhead. Second, W. 
Bonthrow, jun., Kirkcaldy. Third, D. Laing, Kirkcaldy. Buff Cock. 
—First, J. Rodger. Second, D. Laing. Third, P. Wilson. Yellow 
Hen. —First and Third, B. Berry. Second, D. Laing. Buff Hen. — 
First, W. Bonthrow, jun. Second, D. Laing. Third, J. Rodger. 
Yellow Belgium, Cock. —First, W. Bonthrow, jun. Second, P. Wilson. 
Buff Belgium Cock. —First, W. Bonthrow, jun. Second, P. Wilson. 
Yellow Belgium Hen.— First, W. Bonthrow, jun. Second, P. Wilson. 
Buff Belgium Hen. —First, W. Bonthrow, jun. Second, P. Wilson. 
Yellow Piebald Cock. —First, P. Wilson. Second, J. Herdsman. Buff 
Piebald Cock. —First, W. Bonthrow, jun. Second, P. Wilson. Yellow 
Piebald Hen.— First, P. Wilson. Second, J. Herdsman. Buff Piebald 
Hen. — First, P. Wilson. Second, J. Herdsman. Male Goldfinch 
Mule. —Prize, J. Herdsman. 
NESTS AND FOOD. 
A NEW year is now opening; ancl, probably, many persons 
will begin to keep fowls who have never done so before. There¬ 
fore, I send you a few irregular and unconnected notes on 
poultry keeping, which I have learned by experience—in some 
cases by sad experience. It is a great pleasure to write once 
more for the benefit of my brother poultry-keepers; and to 
disseminate mutual instruction in the pages of your delightful 
paper. 
Now, with regard to nests , I have a few words lo say. 
Beginners are very prone to suppose, that the nest of a sitting 
hen should be made as hot and dry as possible. Nothing is a 
greater mistake. The nest should be moist, cool, and as like 
239 
nature as possible : and the best sort of nest is <5ne made of 
dry heath, cut up into short lengths, and laid on a round 
piece of fresh green grass, which, in its turn, should rest in a 
small indentation in the ground. And when the hen is feeding, 
the eggs (in summer), should be sprinkled slightly with water. 
Half the disappointment in poultry breeding, arises from 
improper nests. Yet, continued damp ought to be guarded 
against more than anything ; and to effect this, the roof and 
walls of the fowl-house should be well-closed, save two 
small holes covered with muslin for ventilation. The floor 
should be of gravel : but, whatever the material, a little 
straw should be thrown over it, and renewed each morning; 
because the manure created diming the night can then be 
easily and regularly removed : and also nothing conduces 
more to the health of fowls, than giving them a little straw to 
scratch in. Plenty of ashes should be provided for them to 
busk in, and a handful of flowers of sulphur. For we must 
recollect, that fowls may thrive on very little food, if they are 
kept very clean and moderately warm; but if they are fed 
ever so richly and profusely, and attention be not paid to clean¬ 
liness, they will pine, become diseased, and die. 
The importance of green food, especially to young chickens, 
cannot be over-rated : and also regular feeding is of the utmost 
importance. Regular and moderate feeding—only giving fowls 
just as much as they will run after, is far better than leaving 
food always in their reach. Attention to this rule would 
prevent much disappointment, loss, and expense. 
People also are fond of keeping too many fowls, in propor¬ 
tion to space. Remember, six fowls properly housed and fed, 
will lay far more eggs than fifty crowded ones. 
Then, persons are too prone to choose breeds of poultry 
unfitted for their locality. And on this subject, and on the 
diseases of fowls, I will say more hereafter.—A Wiltshire 
Poultry-keeper. 
GAME BANTAMS. 
I was much pleased to see this subject taken up by 
“ Dandy,” “ Merrylegs,” &c., in some of your recent 
numbers ; and have been patiently hoping the matter would 
have been more fully gone into, by breeders, or more directly 
responded to by Secretaries of Shows. This not having been 
done, I think it behoves those interested in the breed of Game 
Bantams again to call the attention of Secretaries, and others; 
in order, if possible, to induce them to hold out some little 
more encouragement during the next year. 
We find each fancy breed with its long list of admirers; 
and this is well, as proved by the near approach to pei’fection, 
which some of the birds have attained: but I think I may 
safely venture to assert, that pone really rank higher in the 
estimation of the majority of poultry breeders, and fanciers, 
too, than the tTue-bred Game fowl ; and, in England, I 
imagine this breed will ever stand second to none. Now r , 
let me ask what more pleasing sight could a fancier wish to 
gladden his eyes with, than the Game cock in miniature ? 
It is useless my rapturously detailing its many points now ; 
but I do wish to see the Game Bantam taking a more con¬ 
spicuous part, than it, at present, etijoys, at all our Exhi¬ 
bitions. 
I am quite at a loss to know what the Judges of the 
present day can see in the Laced, Blacks, and Whites, to give 
them a superiority over their little Game brethren; unless it 
is, that the former have already become more nearly perfect: 
but if so, then, this strengthens my argument, that the 
managers of Shows should give breeders of Game Bantams 
more encouragement. 
A few years ago, the Laced birds sold readily at 30?. or 
50?. ; but the same would, with difficulty, now fetch the 
single figures, 3?. or 5?.: and why not so encourage Game, 
that we should reduce the price of a pen now marked 50?. or 
100?., to a much more get-at-able price P 
I say, then, breeders must have encouragement; for they are 
at much trouble and expense, in breeding true Game Bantams. 
And I sincerely hope, in the programmes of this year, to see 
the diminutive creatures. equally cared for, with their more 
extensive progenitors. 
I want to see several distinct prizes, for distinct specimens 
of Game Bantams, and the prizes to be of a respectable value; j 
