109 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Mat 15, 1860. 
different parts of the country under the above changes of title, 
varied in certain instances as follows : ‘ Burma Porters,’ Bahama 
Paduas,’ ‘Bohemia Prudas,’ Bahama Pudras.’ And, for these 
three last named, prizes were actually offered at a Maryland fair, 
in 1851!” 
We fully admit the bad taste and vulgarity of that boot, but 
these defects of style do not invalidate statements ; and those 
statements have never been contradicted. Indeed, they are 
partly confirmed by “The Poultry Book” of Dr. Bennett, pub¬ 
lished at Boston in 1852, where he describes Mr. Rugg’s “ Grey 
Chittagongs,” and mentions some of their varieties; but is quite j 
silent as to “Brahma Pootras.” 
It will be seen from the above extract, that Mr. Burnham states j 
that the American “ Brahma Pootras ” are a cross between a j 
grey Chittagong cock and a yellow Shanghae hen. In 1853, two ; 
years before Mr. Burnham’s book was published ( Cottage Gar - j 
dener, ix., 413), we stated our belief that they are a cross between 
the Malay and the Shanghae, or Cochin China; we so judged 
from the points exhibited by the birds, and in 1859, Mr. Walter { 
Ilugo, of Exeter, stated that he “ produced some very dark grey 
Brahmas ; one young stag with a pea-comb,” by crossing be- \ 
tween a Buff Cochin-China hen and a White Malay cock.— (Ibid., j 
xxi., 287.) 
It has been asked, if parents producing chickens like themselves 
is not proof of purity of breed? To which we reply, that it is 
no such proof, either in the vegetable or animal kingdom. Many 
hybrid Geraniums produce their like from seed ; and so do all 
our breeds of improved domestic animals. But if it were a proof, 
it fails in the case of the Brahma Pootras, for we have trust- j 
worthy reports of sittings of eggs bought from their most suc¬ 
cessful breeders producing such a varied progeny, as only two to i 
be a match. 
From all these circumstances we abide by our opinion, that 
the Brahma Pootra is a cross-bred fowl, nor shall we change 
from that opinion until it can be shown that they were brought 
from some country where they are an ordinary fowl. 
In all that we have said, we have strictly refrained from ex¬ 
pressing an opinion on the merits of this breed, for we have 
never kept them, and although many depreciate them, yet there 
are also many trustworthy poultry rearers who are loud in their 
praises of them. Among their applauders is Mr. Baily, and we 
again recommend his little volume not only for its ample details 
about this breed, but about all other varieties. 
CLIMBERS ROUND AN AVIARY. 
What would be the best kind of hardy climbers to plant 
round an aviary where there are Gold Pheasants, several kinds of 
Doves, and some of the wading birds ? I have an unsightly bit 
of paling, which I wish to hide; and I want to know what plant 
would not be injurious to the birds if they pick it. I should like 
nothing better than the common sweet pea, but I have been told 
it would poison the birds. Is this the case ?— Southern Cross. 
[The sweet pea is just as wTiolesome as the garden pea or 
bean. Our fowls will not leave a pod on them that they can 
reach ; and instead of making a hedge of it, we would need a 
hedge to keep our birds from destroying it. Privet is the simplest 
plant for you.] 
FOWLS EATING FEATHERS. 
Two hens last year suffered from a scarcity of feathers ; their 
backs and the front of their necks being quite bare in some places. 
I have now but two birds unaffected in the same way, and as 
they all receive every attention and care, with good food —greens, 
meat, grit, broken chalk, &c.—and are kept scrupulously clean, I 
do not understand the cause. Their house, perhaps, is smaller 
than you would recommend, but a window is always open. They 
live in a wired enclosure, with as much space as can be spared. 
They do not appear ill or drooping, and I have eggs every day ; 
but I could not continue to find pleasure in birds so disfigured 
(eleven out of thirteeu). 
I observe that, besides the bare places, the feathers appear to 
break off, even on the breast and wings—first the top, and then ! 
lower, so that only the fluff remains. The cock’s back possesses 
little more than this substitute for his once glossy feathers ; and j 
my pretty Spangled Hamburghs are losing the pattern, which is 
so ornamental. 
I thought your remedies for baldness did a little good; but 
then so many more became affected a9 to induce me to ask if 
you could kindly assist me by your counsel, and inform me of 
the cause, as it cannot be unwholesome or want of green food in 
the present instance. 
I believe they are in the habit of eating the broken feathers.— 
Mrs. Dorking, 
[Where fowls take to eating feathers, or picking each other’s 
flesh, it is a sure sign they are in a very pampered or diseased 
state. If you feed on meat, that is the cause, and no sign could 
be given to convince of over-feeding more certain than the fact 
they eat their feathers. Your fowls are heated and feverish. 
Purge them well with castor oil, a table-spoonful at a time; give 
them lettuce to eat; feed sparingly, and let the food be ground 
oats. Let them have dust in their house, and rub the bare spots 
with compound sulphur ointment. They should have no food 
by them at any time, and be sparingly served at each meal. They 
do not eat each other or their feathers because they are hungry, 
but because they are suffering from a vitiated appetite.] 
CRAMLINGTON EXHIBITION OF POULTRY, 
May 5th. 
(From a Correspondent^) 
This Show (the fourth), was one of the best that has been 
held there. It was attended throughout the day by a large con¬ 
course of people, dancing and joining in rural games. The funds, 
we understand, are good for another year’s Show, which is 
expected to be a first-class one. The prizes are £1 and 10s. each 
class, which the Committee hope to enlarge another year. 
As a proof of the superior quality of the birds exhibited, we 
may notice in the Golden-spangled Hamburgh class were exhi¬ 
bited the identical birds, the property of Mr. H. Adams, of 
Beverley, Yorks, that gained the first prize at the Crystal Palace 
Show, but which only gained the second prize at this Exhibition. 
The first prize was carried off by Mr. Fairless, of Wideopen, 
near Newcastlq-on-Tyne. The Game class was excellent. The 
first-prize bird was owned by Mr. Adams ; the second by Mr. E. 
Akroyd, of Darlington. The other pens were equal, of the same 
merit, belonging to Mr. Fairless and J. Bell, &c.; but the birds 
had yellow legs, which seem to be getting out of fashion, as it is 
very seldom Judges notice them when willow legs are shown. 
The Spanish class was very good ; as were the Dorkings, Spangled, 
and Pencilled Hamburghs. 
The following is a list of the successful exhibitors :— 
Cochin-China —First and Second, J .-Shorthose, Newcastle-on-Tyne. 
Spanish.— First, L. Hope, New Hartley. Second, J. Oliver, North- 
Seaton Colliery. 
Dorkings.— First and Second, J. Graham, Jesmond. 
Game (Black-breasted).—First, H. Adams, Beverley. Second, E. Ak¬ 
royd, Darlington. 
Game (White and Piles).—First, H. Adams, Beverley. Second, P. 
Wilkinson, Bedlington. 
Hamburghs (Golden-spangled).—First, J. Fairless, Wideopen. Second, 
H. Adams, Beverley. 
Hamburghs (Golden-pencilled).—First, J. Shorthose, Newcastle. Second, 
J. Armstrong, Wideopen. 
Hamburghs (Silver-spangled).—First, Mrs. Fenwick, Seaton Delaval. 
Second, G. B. Foster, Couper Lodge. 
Hamburghs (Silver-pencilled). — First, R. Tulip, Wickham Street, 
Sunderland Second, II. Storey, ArcotHall, Newcastle. 
Por.ANns (Black with White Crests).—First, T. Leonard, Fulwell. 
Poi.ands (White). — First, J. Simm, West Cramlington. Second, T. 
Leonard, Fulwell. 
Polands (Golden).—First, F. Renwick, Seaton Burn. Second, J. Short- 
hose, Newcastle. 
Anv other Breed.— First, J. Shorthose (Silver Polands). Second, F. 
Thompson, Wideopen. 
Bantams (Gold-laced).—First, J. B. Foster, Couper Lodge. 
Bantams (any other variety).—Prize, W. Poad, Seghill. 
Geese.—F irst, J. Joisce, Crofter Mills. Second J. Wood, Berwick Hill. 
Ducks (Aylesbury).—First, II. S. Stoney, Arcot Hall, Newcastle. Second, 
T. Bell, Cramlington. 
Ducks (Rouen).—First, T. Bell, Cramlington. Second, P. Wilkinson, 
Bedlington. 
Ducks (Muscovy).—Second, Miss Robinson, Sunningside, Pontelnnd. 
Ducks (any other variety).—Piize, T. Sanderson, Seaton. 
Turkeys. —Prize, Miss Laws, Smallburn, Ponteland. 
Cottagers. —Rent not more than £5, who exhibit the best of 
anv of the above classes. The cottagers exhibited in all the 
classes, and some splendid birds competed. 
