130 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, November 29, 1859. 
not perceive any coloured feathers whatever. The same gentleman 
also showed (No. 172), a Jonque Goldfinch Mule, of a beautiful 
yellow, the only other colour being two dark tail feathers. Mr. 
Arthur’s bird (No. 166), had First Prize for Jonque Pied Mules. 
Mr. Marshall’s (No. 170), Second Prize. Mr. W. Phillips (No. 
171), Highly Commended ; and Mr. Arthur’s second bird (No. 
167), Commended. These were very superior classes. 
Class XVII., for Mealy Linnet Mules, there were but two birds 
shown, they w r ere but irregular Pieds, not so handsome as the 
Goldfinch Mules, but, perhaps, more valuable on account of their 
rarity. No. 176, Mr. R. Wilde’s birds, received Second Prize. 
Mr. J. Lingard’s bird (No. 174), was not noticed, which, con¬ 
sidering the scarcity of the sort, we think hardly fair. Mr. Pen¬ 
nington’s bird did not make its appearance; and of Jonque Linnet 
Mules there was no entry. 
Class XVIII. For any other varieties of Canaries or their 
Mules, contained ten entries of Pied Norwich Canaries. They 
were characteristic birds, the Jonque Pieds being very rich in 
colour ; but from their irregularity of marking they did not, in 
our estimation, deserve to take precedence of the handsome and 
much more valuable Cinnamon or Dove-colour. First and 
Second Prizes were, however, given to Yellow-pied Norwich birds, 
while Third Prize only was given to (No. 189), Mr. A. Dart’s 
Cinnamon cock. Mr. C. Cole’s (No. 187), and Mr. Dart’s (No. 
190), were Commended; and the latter also showed (No. 191), 
a pretty Cinnamon-pied. We would wish to see these rather rare 
colours, and formerly much-prized birds, receive more encourage¬ 
ment. Among other odds and ends Mr. Judd showed two of the 
old-crested Canaries (No. 198 and 199). Most of those shown 
as German Canaries were a mere burlesque of that delicate 
variety, and we were disappointed in not seeing one good Green 
Canary. 
Mr. AV. R. Valler exhibited a very handsome and excellently 
contrived double breeding-cage. 
Of the other mules bred from Canaries only three birds were 
there, and only one of them worth notice—No. 225, exhibited by 
Mr. G. AA r illiams, a Twite and Canary Mule. The other two 
were hen Siskin, or Aberdevine, Mules ; and we looked in vain for 
Mr. Beach’s Mule, parentage unknown. 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
, Class XX. Bullfinches. —Five were exhibited, the prize being 
awarded to No. 229, belonging to Mr. E. AV. Major; the same 
gentleman being successful in Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Haw¬ 
finches, and Linnets. Among the Goldfinches we noticed the 
two varieties of the lighter birds with light legs, and the darker 
birds with dark legs. In the Hawfinches we were much struck 
with the size and dark colour of the two birds exhibited, though 
we thought that which was Highly Commended was a finer bird 
than the one which received the prize. On crossing over London 
Bridge the next day the mystery w T as solved to our satisfaction; 
as we there saw a number of Hawfinches exposed for sale in the 
little wooden German cages, 2s. 6d. being the price asked. 
These birds were all larger and darker in plumage than our 
English Hawfinches. 
Class XXIV. contained three Crossbills. No. 249, the prize 
bird of the Hon. A. Willoughby, and the Highly Commended 
bird (No. 250), of Mr. E. Hawkins, were a beautiful dark red 
with dull black wings and tails, the third being the prevailing 
grey colour. AVe suspect these were also German importations : 
if not, we should like to hear where they were caught, as they are 
somewhat rare visitants to this country. Mr. H. Hanly (No. 
257), had the prize for Skylarlcs : three competitors. Mr. 
Hawkins for Woodlarks, the only one exhibited. Bolins' prize 
to Mr. E. Hawkins. Blackbirds' to Mr. II. Dayman. Sony- 1 
thrush-s' to Mr. A. J. Moore. 
Class XXII. Starlings —There were five entries ; Mr. C. 
Ilutt’s bird (No. 272) having the prize. They seemed very tame, 
and Nos. 270 and 273 favoured us by whistling snatches of their 
favourite airs. Mr. H. Bayman had the prize for Jays— the only 
one exhibited. 
Class XXXIV. For any other variety of British Bird con¬ 
tained (first prize) a yellow-breasted Bullfinch, a very curious 
variety, exhibited by the Hon. A. Willoughby, and it was quite a 
novelty; but that exhibited next to it as a'Black Bullfinch was 
only a common hen. Mr. II. Hanly showed a Grey Linnet, 
pied with white, which was Highly Commended. Mr. W. Pope 
exhibited two young Herons. Mr. C. Hutt a Mountain Sparrow 
and a Reed Sparrow, or black-headed Bunting. 
Class XXX\ II, Hybrids, or Mule Birds, of any variety except 
i Canaries. —Mr. J. Beach showed four and Mr. H. Hanlv one 
hybrid between a cock Goldfinch and a hen Bullfinch. Air. II. 
Han’y and Mr. A. Staley each exhibited a hybrid between Gold¬ 
finch and Greenfinch, which were very curious, and we think it 
an omission that some commendation was not bestowed on them. 
1 The Groups of British Birds were ill-assorted, and the birds 
too crowded. Mr. AV. Bicknell received the prize for Ihe best 
group. 
BIRDS OR PASSAGE AND MIGRATORY BIRDS. 
Class XXXIX. Blackcaps. —Two were exhibited. One with¬ 
out a tail, which spoiled its chance of a prize; while the other 
had such a dingy cap it looked rather feminine. Of Nightingales 
! we only noticed one. Mr. C. Miles showed a Redstart in excellent 
condition. Air. H. Bayman’s AVrynecked Cuckoo’s mate, or 
Snake Bird, seemed in good health. Siskins, or Aberdevines, 
were there; both cocks with their black heads, and hens with 
grey caps. One Redpoll with a nice red breast, and several 
Bramblefinches in good plumage. Several Collared Turtle Doves 
! were exhibited, but they were all entered by the wrong name. 
(Ring Doves are large AA'ood Pigeons with a white ring about 
the neck.) 
FOREIGN BIRDS. 
Of Grey Parrots there w'ereten entries : Mr. J. Seeley obtained 
! the prize. Of Green Parrots nine entries : Air. AA r . Ryder gained 
the reward of merit. Other Parrots, Air. AV. AV. AVestbrook, a 
i Juron from Swan River. Australian Grass Paraquets, four 
entries : Aliss F. Croad received the prize. Ringnecked or 
Bengal Paraquets, five entries : Mr. R. M. Clarke being the 
winner. 
Any other variety of Small Parrots. — Rosebill Paraquets, 
Bloodwings, Green-leeks, Cocketeals, Rose-breasted Cockatoos, 
and Alacaws, only one entry each. Red-rumped Paraquets, 
Cockatoos, &c., were few; and owing to some being in cages and 
1 some on stands they were much scattered about. 
Alany of the smaller foreign birds were very beautiful, among 
which we noticed the delicate little A4 r ax Bills and the handsome 
Bishop Birds. Captain Richard’s three AVhidah Birds were in 
beautiful plumage; and Mr. Hawkins’s group of foreign birds 
were very interesting. 
In the Extra Class for Foreign Birds we were much pleased 
with Master E. Bartlett’s Californian Quails. Air. J. Beach’s 
cock bird from India, name unknown, appeared to us to be the 
Serim Finch ( Loxia Serinus), common in the south of Europe, 
and sometimes known in England as the St. Helena Canary. 
Two individuals were also there which we must not omit— 
namely, the Great Brown Kingfisher, or Laughing Jackass, from 
Australia, which ever and anon entertained the audience with 
their hoarse laughing ; commencing with a low croaking noise, 
and increasing in volume and execution. 
A4 r e were much delighted with the Show : it was a decided im¬ 
provement on last year, and we hope to see still further advance 
| in years to come. AVe are certainly of the opinion that all the 
variegated and marked Belgian Canaries, would be amply ac¬ 
commodated in one class; but we think the Jonque and Mealy 
Belgians ought to have separate classes, for Erect and Bowed 
birds, as the two extremes cannot well show together. 
Haying concluded our notes, we mounted to one of the upper 
galleries to obtain a bird’s-eye view of the whole, which was 
well worth the trouble. The ornamental water and the feathery 
foliage of the large Ferns, the sparkling of the fountains 
and deep green of the tropical plants, the gay crowd, the merry 
children, the distant pealing of the organ, mingling with the song 
of the birds, added to the enchantment of the scene, which we 
left with regret, hoping another year to enjoy a similar sight. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Liverpool Poultry Show (J. B .).—We do not know when it is to he 
exactly, hut it will be advertised in due time, we have no doubt. 
Exhibiting Pullets as Hens (B. Craig ).—You cannot do this honour¬ 
ably, as there is a class for “ cockerels and pullets.” By general accepta¬ 
tion these are considered to he birds hatched within the current year. 
Laying is not considered a termination of pullethood. 
Various [E. N .).—Those who send us a cloud of questions at once can 
have but brief answers. Four fowls would be enough in your enclosure. 
Silver-pencilled Polands are as economical as any. Wire fencing for them 
six feet high. Barleymeal and boiled potatoes once a-day, and oats once 
a-day. Twelve ounces of such food per head would be enough, besides 
green food. For your cow mangold wurtzel and grains, with a little liav 
in winter. Vetches, clover, and grains, in summer ; quantity depends oil 
breed, &c. A Alorello cherry will do on a north wall. Rabbits should 
have bran besides green food ; sawdust is a good litter for them, 
