GO 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, October 25, 1859. 
deserving of support than this, from the completeness of all the 
arrangements and the punctuality with which the .birds were 
returned. An example of liberality was also set by Mr. Kerr, the 
proprietor of the celebrated China Worts, which might be advan¬ 
tageously followed by those who are at the head of any manu¬ 
facture peculiar to the locality in winch a Show is held. This 
gentleman gave a most elaborate and beautiful vase as the first 
prize in the Dorking class. He Iras signified his intention of 
offering one next year for competition by Game fowls. 
Worcestershire is a Game county, and it will not, therefore, 
be surprising to find there were nineteen entries of Black-breasted 
and other Reds. It was an excellent class, and it is worthy of 
note that Mrs. Sewell repeated her Crystal Palace exploit by 
taking first and second prizes. Mr. Archer’s third-prize pen 
was a notable one, but the birds were in moult. The prize-list 
showed how numerous were the commendations. We have two 
things to notice—first, that, although being a Chicken Show, it 
is not necessary cocks should be dubbed; yet, if this operation 
have not taken place, they show at disadvantage against those that 
have lost all ornament’or superfluity as the opinion maybe. 
The other is, a defect that seems gradually creeping in, especially 
among the Black-breasted Reds, of showing birds that we can 
only designate as squirrel-tailed, inasmuch as that appendage is 
carried upward and forward over the back. The competition in 
these classes is now becoming so great, that exhibitors must 
watch their birds, to detect anything that may be dangerous to 
success. The competition was small in Duckwings and other 
varieties; but in the latter we were glad to observe a pen of the 
old Piles—such birds as we have not seen for many years. 
Dorkings next claim our notice; and here the effect of Mr. 
Kerr’s liberality was visible, as it brought twenty-eight splendid 
pens, belonging to all our best breeders, to compete for it. Of 
these, fifteen appeared in the prize-list. The well-contested 
reward fell to the Hon. W. W. Vernon, and especial mention is 
deserved by Lord Sandon and Mrs. Pettat, who were second and 
third. The White Dorkings were not so good as usual; we 
missed Mr. Allsop, who has usually been very successful in this 
class. 
The Spanish were meritorious, as will he seen by the success¬ 
ful names, and the birds were shown in excellent condition. 
Cochin-Chinas were excellent, although some of the chickens 
were moulting, especially the cocks. We think the improvement 
in these birds is progressive, and there is an approach now to the 
beautiful hens and pullets for which formerly Mr, Andrews was 
so famous. It was a satisfaction to find that in the Grouse and 
Partridge class there were few or no yellow' breasts among the 
cocks. We should be glad if we could say the same of the 
pullets; hut the yellow tinge still predominates more than it 
should. We need hardly say there were good White birds. 
Mrs. Herbert has identified Worcester with this breed. We 
were glad to see this lady was a prize-taker, although only the 
second. It is, however, no discredit to be beaten by one’s own 
birds. 
We are now brought to the Pencilled Hamburghs. Judging 
from the past, we were led to expect a great display of these 
birds, but were disappointed. The Golden were better than the 
Silver, but neither were good. When we look at these birds we 
are led to think of the man who, finding his blanket did not 
cover his shoulders, attempted to lengthen it by cutting off the 
bottom and joining it at the top. Thus every year in these 
birds we have an improvement, but it is purchased at the ex¬ 
pense of some other merit. Pencilled tails have been gained by 
giving up clear hackles. The rich dark colours of the Golden 
cock have been neutralised as a point by black tails. Very clear 
hackles and white deaf ears by faint and indistinct pencillings. 
Messrs. Archer and Worrall showed us perfect birds two years 
ago, but success spoiled them. We trust they will set to work 
again. The Golden and Silver-spangled were unusually good. 
The same may be said of the Polands; aud it is worthy of 
note that Mrs. Pettat took first and second prizes in both classes. 
The Black Polands were also excellent. We trust next year 
there will be a Brahma class : now they were perforce content, to 
appear among the varieties. Mr. Botham took the prize with a 
very handsome pen. 
The Turkeys were excellent in size, purity, and condition. 
We need hardly say Messrs. Fowler and Williams were first and 
second for Geese —they are so everywhere. It will, however, be 
curious to note that such practised exhibitors in Aylesbury Ducks 
as Mrs. Seamons and Mr. Fowler should each have a pen dis¬ 
qualified for yellow' bills ; but it was so. They had then to com¬ 
pete with their other pens; and the usual result—Mr. Fowler 
first, Mrs. Seamons second. They were not so heavy as the 
others, weighing 20h lbs. and 19 i lbs. The Rouen Ducks were 
a most superior class. Mr. Fowler was first aud second. His 
birds were perfect and weighed 18 and 37 lbs. Miss S. Perkins 
took both prizes for other varieties with Buenos Avrean and 
White Cali. 
The next class brought us among the land birds again ,—Game 
Bantams. Twenty entries of singularly beautiful birds. This 
breed is now well established and understood, and we confess we 
are great admirers of it. The Duckwings were the weakest in 
numbers and quality. The Gold and Silver were not numerous, 
nor were the Black and White. 
Sweepstakes, Game Cocks .—Twenty picked birds of the best 
strains in England entered the lists and made a noble display. 
After much competition Mr. Archer took first prize with an 
unusually good Brown-breasted Red. We do not think this is 
the last prize lie will win. Mr. Horton was second, and Mr. 
Moss third. The last bird was a very good one, but his condition 
was not equal to the others. Messrs. Rodbard, Peters, and 
I Tomlinson were successful for Spanish, Dorking, and Cochin 
| China cocks. All these birds were capital. Colonel Clowes for 
Poland, and Mr. Carter for Pencilled Hamburghs, also very good. 
Then, to conclude, the Game Bantam Cock class. Seventeen 
entries. Nothing could exceed the beauty of many of these 
birds; and we were glad to see the adults as small, smart, and 
clean-feathered as their younger competitors. Messrs. Rodbard, 
Camm, and Burgess may be proud of their success. 
This brings us to the close. We rank the Worcester meeting 
of 1859 among the pleasantest we have attended. We were also 
pleased to find the increase there unquestionably is in the love of 
the pursuit. Setting aside the smaller meetings, every one was 
full of talk and preparation for the Birmingham, Liverpool, and 
Crystal Palace Shows. All, ourselves included, heartily thanked 
the Committee for the treat they had afforded us, turned our 
backs on the Show with regret, somewhat alleviated by the 
assurance of our urbane and indefatigable friend, Mr. Griffiths, 
the Secretary, that he hoped to see us next year. 
The Judges were Mr. Bailv and the Rev. R. Pulleine. 
PLUMAGE OF DUCKWINGED GAME COCK. 
Being an amateur breeder of that noble bird, tbe Game cock, 
from my infancy, likewise being descended from a line of ancestry 
zealous in the same fancy, I flatter myself that I possess a little 
more knowledge than most breeders of the present time that 
breed them exclusively for exhibition. 
I have noticed a growing controversy amongst exhibitors, also 
in the columns of your paper, with respect to the Duekwing 
Game Cock. That name is too meagre for them, because there 
are two distinct varieties. What your correspondents call “ the 
maroon or copper-back,” should be called a “Black-breasted 
Birchin Duckwing.” A Silver should be styled “ Black-breasted 
Silver Duck wing Grey.” 
I always give the preference to the Birchin Duckwing, because 
! lie is, in general, the shortest and best feathered. The Silver is 
i longer in feather, soft, and woolly. 
! If you think this information will he of any service to your 
1 correspondent “One Wavering between Two Opinions,” 
; you are quite at liberty to publish it.—D. P., Httll, Yorkshire. 
PURITY OF COLOUR IN GAME FOWLS. 
I perceive that my remarks respecting the colour of Duck¬ 
wing Game have drawn the attention of some of your corre¬ 
spondents; and I am pleased to find such is the case, as from a 
fair discussion of the subject good must necessarily arise, and 
i most likely the truth will be elicited. 
In Tue Cottage Gardener, of October the 11th, the 
“ Purchaser op tiie Bird ” asks, “ Is it possible that I object 
to copper, or maroon-back, as a defect in a Duckwing? In 
i reply, I answer, I do object to such as a Duckwing. 
In your editorial note you say, “ We consider the copper- 
saddle quite correct.” Now, with your choice, or preference, L 
have nothing to do, but I submit the question to the common 
sense of fanciers. Can a Duekwing, hearing in its colour the 
marks of mixture with the Beds, be considered a pure or un- 
mixed colour, any more than a white fowl having red on the 
back could be called a pure or unmixed white? To Mr. C. G. 
