720 
FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
number of fanciers in that city have formed a society to oc- 
cupy themselves with all that pertains to the raising and 
breeding of Antwerp traveling birds. 
“ The directors write us of having received our paper, and 
in answer to their communication we hasten to inform them 
that they can rely on us for all references they should like 
to get for the execution of their project.” 
Trusting, Mr. Wade, that you will give the above a place 
in your interesting Journal , I remain, sir, 
Yours truly, John Yan Opstal. 
New York, November 28, 1874. 
CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW. 
FROM “FANCIER’S GAZETTE.” 
At the last great show, in 1873, we heard several express 
doubts whether they should “ ever look upon the like 
again;” but 1874 has surpassed it in turn, and a total of 
close upon 4400 pens raised several very serious questions. 
There is no doubt the show is getting too large for almost all 
parties — the wishes of the Committee included — and we see 
nothing for it, as one exhibitor observed, but a notice that 
next year “all entries over 5000 will be rejected.” Mere 
jokes, however, do not meet the case, which is in some re- 
spects one calling for very careful consideration. There is 
no blinking the fact that some of the classes have now at- 
tained a magnitude in which judging is almost a farce; and 
although a simple arithmetical computation will show that 
the statement made in some of the daily papers (we said 
these honest reporters would make some droll mistakes) 
that the 4400 pens ranged three miles in length could only 
be true in the sense of “ up one side and down the other ; ” 
to see the whole show is a task beyond almost any pair of 
eyes — or for the matter of that, feet either, as a dilapidated 
pair of boots we wot of bear witness. Mr. Billet’s resources 
must have been taxed to the outside, and a stretch at that, 
to accommodate all comers; and the catalogue this year 
was arranged, what we have never had before — in double 
columns. This, by the way, is not an improvement, but a 
great annoyance and inconvenience to all fanciers who 
might wish to make notes. Many and loud were the grum- 
blings we heard on this head, and we hope the Committee 
will never repeat such an inconvenient plan again for the 
sake of the few pages saved. 
The arrangements on the whole were good, and we 
noticed that the floors of the pens were furnished with a 
particularly nice sample of beach shingle, very sharp and 
clean, over which was thrown some cut grass. The light 
was mostly good, but there is an awkward dark strip under 
the transepts, which always comes to the share of dark birds 
somehow. This is, however, better than breaking oft' the 
numbers, as is done at some shows ; and we may remark 
here, once for all, that both numbers and pens were most 
admirably arranged, each breed having its fair proportion- 
ate space, a matter reflecting great credit on the South- 
ampton firm, who undertook the work. 
The attendance was very large, and a curious “sign of 
the times ” is the fact that about three hundred more cata- 
logues were sold on the Tuesday than on the same day last 
year. Having, however, mentioned one or two matters 
which strike us in another column, we may here leave gen- 
eral remarks, and proceed to the classes, premising that, 
Mr. Hewitt being absent, Mr. Dixon judged the Dorkings, 
Hamburgs, Ducks, Geese, and Turkeys; Captain Heaton 
the Cochins ; Mr. Teebay the Brahmas and Spanish ; Colo- 
nel Stuart Wortley the French fowls; Mr. J. Smith, as 
usual, the Game and Game Bantams ; and, we believe, Mr. 
Tegetmeier the other varieties, but in the large mass we 
may be out a class or two. 
DORKINGS. 
First in the class for old Gray cocks came Mr. Burnell’s 
bird — not the first time he has come under our note-pencil 
for the same mark he gets now — so he may stand on his 
own merits here; second, also a well known Rose-combed 
bird, of dark plumage; third, a very dark bird, and sound 
in feet. Pen 13 (very highly commended), hardly large 
enough, but very sound and smart all over, with legs and 
feet particularly good. 5, highly commended (Lord Tum- 
our), we think might have stood higher, but for an evident 
tender spot under one foot. The cup hen was a fine dark 
bird in beautiful plumage, and promising better still, as her 
comb showed her scarcely recovered from moult ; second, 
fine body and color, but a bad tumor on one foot ; third, a 
dark Rose-comb, not very extra in size. The highly com- 
mended 38 (Arkwright) was a fine bird, spoilt by dark legs ; 
indeed, we rarely remember a class where so many other- 
wise, at least, fair birds were thrown out, either by dark 
legs and feet, or bad cases of bumble-foot. The cup cock- 
erel was fine color and comb, but not extra large, and mid- 
dle toes crooked, and rather swollen. We almost preferred 
second, which had a pair of capital feet, but are not sure his 
tail is straight. Third, approaching Silver Gray in color, 
moderate size, good legs and feet. Fourth, fine in body, 
color, and comb, but again very crooked middle toes, which 
look ugly in any fowl. Fifth, rather dark in legs, and 
we thought, a little loose in one hock joint, but not 
much to speak of. Of the highly commended pens, we pre- 
ferred pen 54, very good ; and 76 (Bartrum), rather crooked 
in comb, but a giant in frame and good feet. The cup pul- 
let was fine in body, but not handsome plumage, being very 
coarsely streaked over rough-looking ground color. Second, 
a fineish average bird, already showing bumble-foot. Third, 
evidently a good bird, but very much out of condition — in 
fact, quite rough. Fourth, medium color on body, with 
again the dark feet not so prevalent. Fifth, again a tumor 
on one foot, but a massive bird. Of the highly commended 
birds we remark 105, nice body, but nearly black legs; 113, 
capital pullet ; and 123, a grand body but a bad corn. 
Old Silver Gray cocks were a poor class, and after a cock- 
erel which was penned in it by error, and awarded a prize, 
was removed, only two good birds were left. Hens were 
better, but scarcely in bloom, the first prize hardly having 
her comb up from moult. The cup cockerel is the grand 
bird we have before had occasion to remark upon. Second, 
a fine body, and in his place, but a dark shade on his upper 
wing-coverts gave us rather the impression of being a sport 
from the colored variety. The equal second was small, but 
very nice color, all but a sandy tinge in the saddle. Third 
prize again looked to us like a “ sport,” being darkly striped 
on the saddle, and too dark in hackle for our fancy. Pen 
149, highly commended, seemed to have had scurfy legs, 
though nearly cured. Pullets struck us as a moderate lot, 
and pretty even in quality; Mr. Cresswell’s second was 
larger but not so good color as his third. 
We do not think the best pen of Cuckoos was placed first, 
and would have preferred either third prize or pen 188 ; the 
cup hen being very small, while both the others were largei 
