ftxfni^% mi6 jPrcp. MEMORIAL POULTRY LIBRARY RlYgY^ The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924090117353 Fop JPrijF^ anil 3Profit, COMPElSINa DIRECTIONS FOE THE PEOPEB MATING OF BIEDS TO PRODUCE DESIRED RESULTS, DESCRIPTIONS OF EVERT VARIETY OF POULTRY, AND INSTETJCTIONS FOR THE BREEDING, EEAEING, AOT) MANAGEMENT OF POTJLTET, IN HEALTH AND DISEASE, FOE THE EXHIBITION PEN OE THE MARKET. ILLUSTRATED. By JAMES XiONG, iWinner of the New TorJc Foultri/ Societti's Prize for the best "Thesis on Poultry.' LONDON 1 'THE BAZAAR" OFFICE, 170, STRAND, W.C, LONDON : PRINTED B7 a, BRADLEY, 170, STKAWD, W.G. INDEX. A. Anconas page 47 Andalusiana 47 To Breed 16 Apoplexy 107 Artificial Incubation .... 114 Mother 117 B. Bantams, to Breed 28 Black 69 Booted 69 Eonses 96 White 29 Boyle's Inonbator 115 Brahmaa 39 To Breed 6 Bronchitis 107 Bnmblefoot 108 C. Catarrh 108 Cats 101 Clear Eggs, to Detect .... 85 Cochins 33 To Breed 3 Coops 88 CrJveccenrs 47 To Breed 16 Crook's Incubator 117 Cropbonnd 108 D. Disease, Causes of 107 Diarrhoea 109 Dominiques 71 Dorkings 44 To Breed 13 Daman's Fowls 48 E. Egg, the 83 Egg-eating Hens 98 Egg Organs page 113 Elephantiasis 109 Entwisle, Mr.,, on Game ... 56 Exhibiting 102 F. Fattening 120 Turkeys 80 Feeding 87 Fielding, Mr. S., on Hamburghs 24 Foods for Chickens .... 89 Priazled Fowls 72 G. Gallna Fnrcatus 75 Game Fowls 55 To Breed 18 Game Bantams 55 To Breed 30 Gapes 109 In Turkeys 79 Grave's Incubator 115 Gueldra Fowls 48 H. Halstead's Incubator .... 115 Hamburghs 61 To Breed 20 Hampers for Show Birds . . 102 Hatching 85 Houdans 51 To Breed 17 Houses for Poultry .... 93 I. Inflammation of Xungs , . . 107 J. Japanese Bantams . . . . 29, 69 L. La Bresse 51 LaFMoho 52 To Breed 17 INDEX. Legboms yaje 47, 69 To Breed 16 Leg Weakness 110 Lice Ill Lime Washing 102 Lythall, Mr., on Tnrkeys . . 79 M. Malays 64 To Breed 28 Minorcas 46 To Breed 16 Hooneya 23 Movable Honses 94 N. Negroes 72 P. Packing Eggs 86 Paralysis Ill Pekin Bantams 65 Pheasant Fowls 23 Plymouth Eocks 70 Polauds 63 To Breed 27 Poultry Farming 122 Preparing for Exhibition. . . S6 E. Eats page 101 Ehenmatism HI Bearing 87 Eonp Ill Bales of Exhibitions .... 103 EumplesB Fowls 75 S. Sebrights 66 To Breed 28 Silkies 72 Sitting the Hen 85 Spanish 45 To Breed 15 Stomach Derangement . . . 113 Stove for Houses 97 Sultans 71 T. Thief Detection 97 Turkeys 76 W. Washing Fowls 103 Wheatens 57 White Comb 114 INDEX TO WOODCUTS. Artificial Mother 119 Bantams 106 House 96 Brahma Cock (Dark) .... 7 Hen (Dark) 41 Cook (Light) 10 Cochin PuUet (Buff) .... 35 Cock (White) 77 Coops 88, 89 Gr^vecoenr Cook 32 Hen 53 Fatting Coop 121 Feathers of Dark Brahma . . 9 Light Brahma 10 Feathers of Hamburghs 20,24, 25,26 Sebrights 29 Fowl House 95 Frizzled Hen 73 Game Cock 48 Hen 99 Hamburghs (Silver Pencilled) . 2 (Silver Spangled) .... 21 Houdan Cock 91 Malay, The 28 Movable Fowl House .... 94 Polands (White Created) . . . 67 Spanish 60 Stove 98 Sultans 82 yor fv\i?$ ani JProfil^. BREEDING POULTEY FOR PRIZES. INTRODUCTION. In introducing to the public this, the first part of a treatise upon Poultry, it is believed that a want will be supplied which has long existed — that of an inexpensive and practical work for the assist- ance of amateurs in the selection and production of specimens somewhat nearer the standard than the great majority of birds exhibited at our Poultry Shows. The fact that many improve- ments have been made, and new varieties and points introduced since the publication of any comprehensive work, was an additional inducement to the Author to commence the present series. COCHINS. The Cochin China is a bird that must be bred for size and colour ; for, however, important other points may be, a small bird stands very little chance in competition, and in a good show a bad- coloured one has literally none at all. Shape and feather are points of beauty really necessary to great sucoesSj although we have seen very many cup winners good in colour and size, but manifestly inferior in shape or feather. Some are straight or lumpy in the back, and others are barely feathered on the leg or thigh. These points are easily attained ; the simplest novice can, by selection, breed heavily-feathered birds, and most amateurs are able to carry "shape" in their eye sufficient for mating; but it is neither easy to perpetuate first-class coIouf, however good the stock birds may be, nor to rear chicken to great size. 4! COCHINS. Buffs are tie favourite Cocliins— they sbow in greater force and better quality than their brethren; but perhaps the fact that buffs, lemon buffs, cinnamons, and silver cinnamons are included- under the one head, is a sufficient explanation why they are so numerous. Lemon is the favourite colour with some amateurs^ and from its great beauty we are not surprised. To attain this- shade of the " buff " we advise breeding from distinct hens. Put a good, dark, even, lemon cook with lemon hens the""CQ]our of the- desired chicken for cockerels ; and the same bird mated wi&Jaright,. even, perfect lemon hens, such as are seen in cup pens _ at Birmingham, Bristol, and other great shows, will throw beautiful pullets. It is very difficult to obtain good lemons from the same- parents; though we have bred some as exquisite? in shade as could be desired from a dark lemon cock and a very perfect cup lemoni hen, it should be mentioned that the majority of the chicken, (cockerels) were sUver cinnamons. In the cock there is a tendency to the obnoxious light patch on the wing, whereas good bright pullets often have dark hackles — these end in silvers. For btSfs^ mate a lemon cock with dark buff hens, clear and even in colour- throughout — any " mixture " is fatal. For sUver cinnamons put a lemon cook -with hens French white in colour except hackle, which, should be of a rather light bro-WQ. These hens are of a faint, washy shade, but must not be too light. All buffs breed lighter than themselves, and moult lighter every season. In mating for colour it is well to look to the hen ; ff you cannot get good points in the cock, remedy it, if possible, in the hen. The cock has more- influence in throwing good-combed birds and handsome heads, but in colour, size, shape, and feather, look most to the hen. Partridge. — ^In this variety we have known more winning birds- bred from the same parents than in any other Cochins, and, with care, it is undoubtedly simple to produce chicken as good in colour- and pencilling as have ever been seen. It is not the colour only in Partridge Cochins that -wins the prizes. We have noticed that our large exhibitors of this variety — ^Messrs. Tudman, Lingwood, Leech, and others — invariably show grand cocks, and very often flrst-olass hens, so far as colowr is concerned ; but in close compe- tition it -will be found that either one gentleman wins with finer- chicken, or the other with better shaped adults. In selecting breeding stock, colour wiU naturally be the first object, as that is an absolute qualification ; therefore discard cocks other than black in thigh, breast, and tail, badly striped in saddle or hackle, or light in colour. The best cock for stock purposes is one black in breast, thigh, and tail, with bright red hackle and saddle, not too light,, but very darkly striped; dark red back, and bright, well-defined bar on the wing. He need not necessariiv be large, but distinct preference should be given to a short-backed bird, slightly arched in the neck so as to correspond -with the tail, which should rise out- of a thick cushion or covert. In all Cochin cocks the breast should be full, the feathering running straight to the knee and gi-ving the- COCHINS. 5 bird a very uniform " peg-top " like appearance; which is particu- larly striking and handsome. The hen should be a well-feathered bird, large in frame, with a very fair rising cushion, neat head, and comb as small as possible, her hackle darkly striped on a golden ground, and the body, even to the fluff of the thigh, dis- tinctly pencilled with very dark brown on a much lighter ground. The handsomest cockerels we ever saw were bred from parents such as we have described. Although not really large birds, they were elegant in shape and splendidly perfect in colour, and, as a consequence, constantly beat celebrated birds much their supe- riors in size, equal in colour, but inferior in shape. The pullets of the same broods, although rich in colour and exquisite in pencilling, were not reared for size, and never showed their fine shape to advantage. When we find the gentlemen already nancied breeding chicken which weigh thirteen and fourteen pounds a pair early in August (as shown at Warrington) it behoves us to try our best to rear our chicken for size when we get them. White Cochins are, after all, about the handsomest variety — that is, if they can be kept white, and run on grass ; but kept in a town, or in a dirty yard without a blade of grass, buffs musi beat them. There are White Cochins, however, that are kept in a few feet of space, and that bare earth, which have won very many first prizes, and beaten their coloured brethren over and over again ; l3ut they were the children of an experienced exhibitor, and, when ready for the show pen, looked more fit for a glass case. Good cocks can often be claimed at a show for a low price, but hens rarely. Let the cock be equal in shape to those already described ; but in selecting it is very necessary to get a white bird, one if pos- sible without a tinge of yellow (which is very objectionable though very common), and when you get him, Tceep him white. In White Cochins the shape of the comb is of more importance than in bufi or partridge; it should be particularly even, and well serrated, having the appearance of having been cut to shape. Vulture- hocked and green-legged cooks are very common ; avoid the latter, but the hock is very useful for breeding heavy feather. We have bred some of the heaviest-feathered pullets ever seen from a cock whose hocks had more the appearance of the " second pair of wings." We have tried many experiments in breeding heavily- feathered cockerels, and the most successful result was attained from a three-year-old cook (bred by Mr. Smalley, and winner for Mr. Worthington of first ' at Birmingham), perfect in feather, comb, and shape — indeed, one of the grandest specimens ever seen — and a hocked two-year-old hen, moderately large, of capital shape, and very white. There are capital hens, so far as regards size and feather, to be purchased for little money ; but many of them are objectionable in colour, and never find favour with judges. These birds have a reddish tinge throughout the body, and some- times the appearance of birds running on red soil ; they neither win prizes nor breed good chicken, and should be instantly 6 COCHINS — ^BKAHMAS. discarded. "We hope that White Cochins will be more generally bred and exhibited ; they are quite ladies' birds, as evidenced by the fact that Mrs. Williamson for some time carried almost all before her. Black Cochins are now rarely met with; a good pen is some- times seen, but it is the exception. We lately saw a very good hen running in the yard of a person who knew nothing of " fancy" Eoultry, and prized her only as a layer. The cook was exceedingly andsome in shape, but barely feathered on the leg, slight in body, and long in tail — indeed, he resembled a game fowl in many points. To breed Black Cochins successfully aU the characteristics of the white variety must be retained, substituting, however, a pure unbroken black for white. There is a great tendency to throw brassy-winged chicken, however perfect the stock may be. It is only by mating stock of the best pedigree, combined with much perseverance and a great deal of patience, that good blacks can be obtained. BKAHHAS. Dark. — The difficulties met with in the selection of Dark Brahmas for breeding purposes are, perhaps, more numerous than in any other variety. It is essential to success to produce pullets of good colour and distinct pencilling, but the great difficulty of ascertaining the strain and blood of the cock makes this task by no means easy. In establishing a strain it is well to select a sufficient number of birds to prevent the necessity of subsequent purchases, and, perhaps, consequent importation of bad blood. Three breed- ing pens, or even two cocks and half a dozen hens, are sufficient to continue without a cross for years, as the strong constitution of the Brahma renders a cross of related birds by no means objec- tionable if not continued. Select well-shaped, early-hatched, hardy cocks of two years — ^not necessarily large ; see that they have first-rate combs, clean earlobes, fine, handsome heads, full hackles, bright yellow legs, and, iE possible, even, unbroken tails— such ones as those possessed by " Favourite ;" and " Young Sampson " — and free from white. For obtaining heavy leg feather we can strongly recommend the use of a vulture-hooked cook, but the hens must be without a suspicion of the same fault. Some of the heaviest feathering we ever saw was obtained in this manner. We haVe tried it ourselves with great success, having, perhaps, only one cockerel in a brood throwing after his sire. Colour is a point that must be selected by the breeder ; if he prefer the silver grey the cock must have a black breast and thighs, the hackle and saddle being densely striped with black, the base of the hackle and the tail coverts being simply laced with a narrow white edging. Avoid brown feathers and a tail of purple reflections, these belong to the brown strain, and are fatal to the production of good silver grey pullets. The hen should be _^%r^i5-\^ . ■■r-^^/~^1r^'X^^ DAIt.K BEAHMA COCK, "Favourite." dark — even darker than her required progeny — and very well and distinctly pencilled. For breeding brown pullets the cock may have a slightly mottled breast, if the hen is very dark, and brown feathers in Back feather of Dark Brahma Hen. Breast feather of Dark Brahma Hen. moderation. The hen had better be perfectly pencilled, especially on the breast, unless the cock can be depended upon as bred from a well -pencilled strain, when his "blood" will balance his mate's de- ficiencies ; but, in any case, the hen must be fairly pencilled. It will be found much simpler to produce well-pen- cilled brown pullets than silver greys, pro- bably from the more Wine; feather of Dark subtle quaUties of the " ' latter. Brahma Pullet. If, in purchasing a bird, the seller is unable to furnish any informa- tion as to the qualities of its parents and race, it is weU to trace the immediate ancestors, and, as far as possible, ascertain their colour and principal charac- teristics. For size large hens are preferable to large cocks; if the former are broad, deep, heavily feathered in thigh, with full rising cushion, the cock may be small, and, in a measure, scant of 10 BKAHMAS. body feather. To produce tlie exquisite shape so much admired, the cook to mate with such a hen should be well and gracefully curved in the neck, very short back, the saddle rising into an almost erect tail, giving the back a hollow appearance, the neck and tail appearing very uniform and gracefully curved. Any defect in one bird may be counterbalanced by particular excellence in the point in the other, bearing in mind that the cock's influence is greater in " fancy points," and the hen's in size and shape. Long-bodied, duck-shaped hens, so much condemned by Mr. Teebay, are useless for breeding ; if good-shaped cocks are mated with good all-round partners, they will throw well-shaped pullets ; and, on the other hand, badly-pencUled but good-shaped hens, if mated wisely, will throw good cockerels. As early fledging is very desirable in all large birds, two-year- old cocks, and hens of the same age, will be found preferable to any others, although a yearling cock with an older hen is a capital match. Light. — The remarks appertain- ing to Dark Brahmas — so far as relates to shape, size, comb, and feathering — may be confidently applied to light; but with regard to colour and pencilling, it is neces- sary to say a few words. Pencil- ling, as every faiicier well knows, is now brought to such perfection that it must be obtained to warrant the least success, more particularly with pullets. IFor satisfaction we tried a few experiments during the spring of 1871. We bred from a dark-hackled year-old cock (Young Sampson) and moderately dark two-year-old . hens ; also from a very similar -rock, darker in hackle if possible, and dark hens. In the first case the pullets were too light in hackle, and the cock- erels good ; but in the latter the cockerels were too dark, and the pullets perfection — in fact, all that could possibly be desired. Some of the above hens were from the yards of Messrs. Pares and May- nard. We also bred from another young cock of our own, fair in hackle, and light hens ; the chicken were all very prettily pen- cilled, but, as might be expected, not dark enough. In the last \ ^ ! r Ti ^&i.^. Saddle feather of Light Brahma Cock. LIGHT BEAHMA COCK, " Young Sampson." BEAIIMAS — DORKINGS. 13 case we mated a fine old code, slightly hooked, and very light in haokle, the pencilling still being distinct, with extremely dark hens of Mr. Laoy's strain — in fact many feathers on the back were black, and the nnderfluff a very darh pearly grey. The result was most encouraging; both cockerels and pullets were splendidly pencilled, the bodies being perfectly clear, and the feathering heavy. In the face of this we must believe that light cocks may be made useful breeders if well mated, although they are at all times hazardous. Clouded or spotted hackled birds are useless, and yellow birds, although much in vogue, are to be avoided if possible ; but we despair of seeing the' white cocks of a few years back. AVe like to see the stripe in the saddle — a point almost lost sight of. It may generally be obtained when breeding from very dark birds. We also admire the white lacing in the tail of the hen, now seldom seen in any degree of perfection; it is invai'iablj' obtained from cocks having similar lacing in the tail coverts. We must again refer to the whiteness of Light Brahmas — it is a point sufficiently conspicuous to entitle an otherwise ordi- nary bird to a degree of importance ; but if, in addition, it is well pencilled, of good size, fair shape, feather and head, such a bird would prove a most dangerous opponent to the elite of his class. It is worthy of remark that the two cockerels so successful at the great shows of 1870-71 were bred from pullets and a rather short- legged, clear-hackled two-year-old cock, of capital shape and splendid head and comb, but rather small in size. The pulleta were slightly hocked, very heavily feathered, perfect in head and comb, and large ia body. DORKINGS. Grey. — This variety, from its peculiar constitution, is not so largely kept in many parts of England as could be wished ; many breeders, anxious to add it to their yards, are simply deterred because of the difficulty of rearing the chicken ; to these we say, cross it with the Bx-ahma and breed back to the Dorkiug charac- teristics ; the Asiatic blood infused into the strain will assist to rear fine chicken and win prizes. Speaking of this cross, we may mention that we know a yard of Dorkings — perhaps one of the most successful for prize-taking in the kingdom — ^which entirely owes its success to the Brahma. For a breeding pen select a broad, deep, long-breasted, massive- looking cock, stout and white in the leg, with five well formed toes and a perfect foot, spurs set well inside, and even, firm comb. Dorkings being birds shown principally for size (a point that tells very heavily in the show pen), it must be borne in. mind that, to breed them successfully, it is necessary both to select stock birds possessing that quahfication in every shape, and to rear the chicken weU, 14 DOKKIKGS. The hen should be a very large (not fat) square bird, very broad in back and breast, neat head, small erect comb (unless rose-combed), and possess five perfect claws. A spurred hen is generally useless as a stock bird. It is ad- visable to introduce fresh blood every year, as no variety of fowl suffers so much from inbreeding. The rose-combed birds are generally the largest, and they may be used with perfect safety and success to breed single combs. Size and weight may easily be attained with care and judicious selection ; but to obtain the dark grey feather so much admired, something more than judgment is required. The fancier should select the colour he prefers, and inquire as to the origin of any bird he meets with. The parents of good coloured birds should be traced and examined, and if possible secured. It is a capital plan to purchase^ stock birds which are known to have thrown good coloured chicken ; or, if this is not possible, to obtain some very like them, at the samo time inquiring as to their antecedents. We advise the cLa/rk variety, as they are more favoured by the judges and possess greater stamina. We have seen many of the Sussex Dorkings, and have often admired the simplicity with which they are reared ; but, as the chicken are bred for the market, few find their way into an exhi- tion, although there are two or three breeders who supply some of the finest birds seen at our best shows. Silver-Grey Dorkings sadly lack size, as most birds of feather do. Perfect specimens will always breed good coloured chicken, but the proportion of bad ones will be very large ; a colour such as would be obtained by crossing the Dark Dorking with a silver grey is often obtained. To win. Silvers must be large, therefore the fancier must set his own wits to work to get frame — to follow the old maxim that " like begets like " is one thing, but to assist nature in well developing that frame is another. Therefore parents of great size, not merfe weight, should be mated, all badly coloured chicken discarded, and the remainder encouraged to de- velope themselves. A black breast, tail, and tail coverts are necessary in the cocks ; and as the remainder of the body, or nearly so, is silver, it is advisable to reject any cocks having a decided yellow tinge, which must not be confounded with the yellow of ago or the sun. White Dorkings are sadly degenerating ; they gradually get " small by degrees and beautifully less." As in the silver-greys, increased size must be obtained at any cost. Dorkings are Dork- ings, whatever their colour ; and where no difficult point has to be bred up to, we are surprised that no steps have been taken in the right direction to perfect this b eautif ul variety. We are of opinion, and we believe that many eminent authorities have previously asserted, that in a few years a strain could be established that would defy competition. If any breeder is. anxious to carry all before him, we advise him to mate a white, roso-combed cock. BOEK INGS — SPANISH. 1 5 as large and perfect as can be obtained, with a perfect, rose-combed, Grey Dorking hen of vei-y large frame. Mate the best chicken obtained from this cross with very large and equally perfect White Dorkings of an entirely different strain. Watch the result ; pro- bably several of the best of these chickens will be white ; if not, select the largest and whitest, and again mate with white birds that are not related ; this final cross will no doubt re-establish the colour, and, with the greatly increased size, they would hold their own in most ordinary classes. In breeding from whites on both sides, select birds having the cleanest appearance, entirely free from yellow, and with five well-defined claws. SPANISH. White-raced, or, as they are often called, " Bristol " Spanish, from the eminence of the Bristol breeders — Messrs. E. Jones, Hyde, Rodbard, and others — are bred more particularly to one point, viz., the face, which, from its delicacy and size, forms the great attraction in the variety. A bird must be indeed grand to win ; indeed, the competition in Spanish is now so severe that a cup pen (such as by the kindness of the Hon. Miss Pennant, is illustrated in Part III.), must be literally faultless. In selecting stock it is well to put a two-year-old cock to not more than three two-year-old hens, each weighing about six pounds — the cock Weighing from seven to eight pounds. It is highly important that the cock's comb should be perfectly strong, stiff, and erect, thick at the base, and tapering delicately to the points. The hen's comb, though falling well over the eye, should be also thick at the base, and perfectly stiff throughout — a flabby-combed hen usually throwing falling combs in the cockerels, a most fatal point. As regards breeding for face, we strongly advise the greatest caution in purchasing stock: Inquire strictly as to the pedigree of the birds, for an ill-advised cross will destroy the strain, and throw faces so red that it cannot be bred out. Although in the very best yards the chicken differ much in quality of face, birds are always obtained that do credit to their breeders ; yet a bad cock will fail to throw a single good chicken. Let the stock be very white, and perfectly smooth and large in face, and of a strain that can be depended upon. The minor points, such as legs, shape, plumage, and size, must of course be correct. The chicken should not be hatched earlier than the end of April ; early broods are always delicate, and die off mysteriously. When the faces begin to show, pick out and discard those showing a decided red tinge — they will only blush tl^e more the longer they live ; but the bluish faces should be well cared for, as they generally make the best birds. Good Spanish cooks will sometimes blush a little ; when this happens they should be shut in the dark away from the hens, and their faces gently washed twice a day with IG SPANISH — CKEVECffiURS. milk. Sometimes the sun 'vrill discolour the face, and at other times it gets spoiled by a discharge from the eye. The comb is, during cold weather, also liable to become discoloured; when this occurs it should be rubbed with snow or any cold substance until it " comes round." As an instance of the precarious nature of the Spanish face, we may mention a bird we saw at Bristol Show, January, 1871. After winning the cup in a class hitherto rarely seen, he went " all to pieces," in fact, his face suddenly became so much discoloured as to cause the strongest comments to be made by the uninitiated upon the judging of Mr. Teebay. Minofcas, or Bed-faced Spanish, are principally cultivated in Devon and Cornwall, and seldom, seen at any exhibition east of Exeter. We believe Mr. Hewitt is partial to this variety, and has expressed a wish that it could be more generally shown. The chicken may be hatched early in the year, as, unlike the Spanish, they fledgfe and thrive during cold weather. A cockerel may advantageously be mated with hens, although a cock is perhaps preferable. He should be a smart, active, large bird, with long wattles, clean white ear, and red face, and resembling the White- faced Spanish in other points. The hen is a fac-simile of the Spanish hen, except as regards the face. Reject birds with spotted faces, coloured or white feathers, or legs other than lead colour. It is perhaps as well to remark that Minoroas for stock should be a little shorter in the leg than the Spanish. Andalusians also resemble the Spanish in comb, earlobe, shape; size, and weight. The stock birds should be of a deep slate or bluish-grey, the feathers darkening at the edges, with black hackles and tail, red face, and blue legs. Leghorns, which from their general similarity to the Spanish variety we include under this head, are one of the manufactures of "Brother Jonathan." They are Spanish in general appearance, similar in all points except face, colour, and legs. The face must be a spotless lei, plumage virgin white, and legs yellow. As this variety has only lately been introduced into this country it is seldom exhibited ; and, indeed, the majority of the specimens which have found refuge in the " variety " classes fire inferior. To become popular, large, handsome, and perfect birds only must be shown. CBEVECCETTItS. This handsome variety is fast progressing in popular favour ; it approaches what we consider perfection with rapid strides, and in a, few years it will doubtless be as strange to see an inferior t)en at one of our great shows, as it is at present to see a perfect one. We want larger crested and larger bodied birds ; a pound or two added to the average weight of the cocks would be very advan- tageous, and could we manage to increase the size of the crests to that of the white crested Poland nothing would remain to be done. CREVECCEnaS — nOUDANS — IiA FlilOHI!. 17 Never breed from a moderate bird ; it is both waste of time and money, and detrimental to the advance of the variety. For winning good prizes, select, or claim even — though at an apparently large outlay — a large long bodied cook, free from any white or colour if young, with a very full crest and mufl, clean, short, dark slate or black legs, and even, well standing comb, with wattles of similar length, giving the head an uniform appearance. The comb should be clean and free from sprigs, and of a two-horned shape. Let the hen be large in frame, in good condition, not fat, but simply plump, large and even in crest and muff, small in comb, and compact and square in body. We should prefer a year-old cock and a two-year-old hen, as likely to throw the strongest chicken. Hatch in March, and from such stocks grand birds must be pro- duced. In Part II. are given the portraits of Mr. E. B. Wood's grand cup birds. H0T7DANS. As the points most requisite in this breed for the show pen are size, crest, and colour, it follows that in selecting stock birds these essentials should be pre-eminent. Large framed healthy birds, possessing very full well-shaped crests and muffs, should be mated ; the cock possessing a well developed uniform comb branching well back into the crest, but the comb of the hen on the other hand being as small as possible. Both birds should have a well formed fifth toe, and legs of a mottled black and white, the white predominating ; indeed we would prefer to try to breed the legs a clear white. Preference should always be given, when selection can be made from a good stock, in favour of a short legged deep breasted bird, with thin long wattles. In mating for colour it is well to produce Houdans in which the black plumage predominates, with an even sprinkling of white throughout the body ; some breeders prefer mating a very dark cook with hens of the desired colour or a shade Ughter ; others again breed from birds a little darker than the standard colour, on both sides. Yery light hens are next to useless, but ordinarily Ught ones will throw a sprinkling of good chicken if matched with a cook excessivdly dark. Coloured feathers must be avoided. The comb in the Houdan may be either the branching coral-like antlers or the dean horns of the Crevecoenr ; we prefer the latter, though both are admissible, and may be bred from the same stock. Mr. W. O. QuibeU's celebrated Birmingham hen wiU be illus- trated in a future part. IiA FL£CH£. In contradistinction to the French varieties already mentioned, the La Fllche is conspicaoos by its absence of crest, and therefore c 18 LA PLfiCHB — GAME. the presence of a top-knot, however small, is at once condemnatory of the bird. It is necessary to produce birds of great size, with earlobes as large and white as possible, head long, and ftill keen eye, two-horned pointed comb— which, with the face, must be of a bright red. Mate birds possessing these qualifications in a high degree together with a spotless and black plumage. Breeding from related birds must be entirely avoided. If first-class birds on either side cannot be obtained, select a large framed hen at any risk, even at the expense of an inferior comb or tinged earlobe : and, by the same rule, a cook to mate with her may be smcM, if vigorous and good in "fancy" points, but as size is the most necessary qualification, much may be sacrificed to obtain it. Posi- tive defects, such as light or coloured legs, coloured feathers, or presence of crest, are of rourse, to be rigorously avoided. GAME.- In breeding Grame fowls the most important of all things is to use only the healthiest and strongest birds to be obtained. Let the cook be broad in breast and back — ^not exactly straight in the back, but a little curved if flat across — long and curved in the neck, hackle short and close, plumage tight and " hard as a rock." In the hen the headgear should be very small ; tail as close as the plumage. If she is spurred so much the better, as she will breed harder chicken. Avoid short heads or necks, ears tinged with white, squirrel tails, and feet in which the hind toe is short and imperfect, and soft plumage. The cook should weigh under six pounds, and the hen from four and a half to five pounds. Old cooks are generally preferred for breeding — even up to six and seven years — ^with two-year-old hens, strictly avoiding pullets. EeaUy good strong old cooks generally throw a large propor- tion of cockerel chicks — a fact denoting real strength in the brood. Black-Reds are, perhaps, more generally shown than any other variety, and win the most prizes. Breed from a cock having a deep, rich, orange-red hackle, free from stripes, a very deep, velvety, back, and willow legs ; a red eye is imperative, the redder the better ; hght hackles, or tipped light, are fatal blemishes, and on the other hand, dark hackles, approaching the colour of the back, are too same for the show pen, and for breeding throw pullets much too dark. The breeding hens — not more than five to a cock — must have a clear and distinctly striped light golden hackle, salmon breast, and golden-brown back, the wings tight and medium in size, and quite free from mossing or pencilling. We have seen hens perfect models in sha.pe, and only losing through this slight blemish ; she should match the cock in eye and leg. Black-reds should never be crossed with other varieties for colour. If richness is required, seek it among black-reds alone. GAME. 19 If determined upon crossing, put a brown-red or riohly-coloured pile cook to duokwing hens. Brown-reds, we have lately observed, have won more caps than any other variety of game, probably on acconnt of the excellence of their shape, which, as a rule, is much superior to black-reds. In no variety of fowl is it more necessary to use a good brood cock than in Brown-red Grame ; several birds should be used, each separate with their hens. The eyes must be a dark brown, and face purple. We prefer to see the breast of the cock a beautiful red brown, free from streaks ; but streaky birds have taken many cups. Let the legs match in all stock birds — a dark willow or bronze throughout. The breeding hens must be of a very dark or black brown in body, othei'wise the pullets will be too light. Rich cockerels may be bred from a thoroughly good coloured black-red cook and brown-red hens ; indeed, many of the high-coloured streaky-breasted birds are produced from this cross. These cockerels running with light hens often throw first-rate cook chicken. Pile cocks (which also throw duokwings) and ginger- reds (these are bred from a pile cock and partridge hens) running with the above hens, also throw good brown-reds Buckwings are, perhaps, the handsomest Game fowls in general appearance. The Silver Duckwing cock has a white. Or nearly white hackle and saddle, free from any perceptible stripes, black breast, silver back and coverts, and willow or olive legs. The yellow cock is a pale, clear straw in hackle and saddle, with a bright maroon back and coverts, and willow or yellow legs. The hens are salmon breasted, but differing in general colour — the silvers having a silvery grey appearance, whereas the yellows are bluish in shade. Any red or pencilled feathers are very objec- tionable. The purest duckwings have yellow eyes and white legs (and sometimes blue), but red eyes and willow legs are far better for exhibition. The best cockerels are bred from good-shaped, strong, light, black-red cocks, and hard, spurred, good-coloured duckwing hens, both matching in leg and eye, although some strains of black reds will not throw cocks to this cross. For pullets, a white-hackled Silver Duckwing cock with black-red hens answers admirably ; or pwre duckwings on both sides may be used with certainty, although the cockerels will be mealy-breasted and striped in the hackle, whereas the cross occasionally throws good cockerels. If the strain becomes loose or slack in feiather, it is sometimes well to cross with the brown-red, and breed back to colour. Some very first-class duckwings are thrown by cocks bred from duckwing cocks and black-red hens, mated with light- coloured black-red hens. Piles. — The best cocks are the white breasted birds — such as are exact models of black-reds so far as the colour is concerned, the black being exchanged for white. The richest coloxired of these birds are bred from high coloured black-red cocks and pile hens. They are often bred from piles on both sides, but the colour is soon bred 2 20 GAME — ^HAMBUHGHS. out unlesa the above cross is used. We find that some of our most celebrated exhibitors prefer mottled breasted birds, but we think no piles so handsome as the white breasted. Capital pullets may be bred from a pile cock mated with hens bred from a pile cook and black-red hens ; these same crossed hens put to a black-red cock will show first class cockerels. An piles must have yellow legs and white tails, although willow and white legs are admissible and constantly shown. Get the plumage and eye as red as possible. White cocks put to black-red hens, or hens bred from pile cooks and hght black-red hens, also produce Piles. White and Black game can only be bred from self-coloured birds, although an occasional cross will produce them as a simple sport. The whites should have red eyes and white legs, and the blacks, dark ohve legs and black eyes. EASEBUKOES. Silver-Spangled. — In this, the grandest of the Hamburgh family, it is essential to success to breed from two yards, unless, like Mr, Henry Beldon, we are the happy possessors of a Henny Cook's Saddle Feather. Henny Coot's Neck Feather. Strain throwing both good pullets and cockerels. Such a strain 13 made up of bu-ds that have been several times crossed, but SPANGLED HAMBUEGH COCK. EAMBUBOHS. 23 it altogether fails to reproduce the lustrous metallic hue on the spanglmg of the pullets. For breeding perfect exhibition cocks, mate a pure-bred mooney cock with pheasant hens; for, although the spangling is hardly so deep from this cross, clear, well-tipped tails, large white earlobes, neat heads, and small combs cannot be depended upon without it. For pullet breeding, select a dark-hackled lien-taikd mooney cock and four or five mooney hens, as pure as possible. A long-tailed cock is not objectionable, but his progeny would be smaller, and their spangles inferior in size and shape to those obtained through the " henny." The cockerels from this pen would bo unfit for exhibition, but useful for supplying stock birds. On the other hand, the pullets obtained from the pen for breeding cockerels are utterly worthless tor either stock or exhibition ; hence it is advisable to adopt the theory of the author of a recent pamphlet, and select cocks' or puUets' eggs only, as may be necessary — if you can. We may remark that good show cocks have been bred from pheasant cock and mooney hens, but these instances are rare. If it is impossible to allow two yards for breeding silver-spangles, one can be made to do pretty well, thus : Mate a mooney cock (if a good-tailed "henny" all the better) with six hens, one half pure mooney, the other half pheasant ; the result in this case is obvious. In order to assist our readers in selecting birds, it may be necessary to describe these mooney and pheasant fowls, without infringing upon that part of this work devoted to the description of exhibition poultry. Silver Mooney. — The cock is a rather tall bird, with a coarse head and comb, small stained earlobes, and dark fluff. His tail is generally very dark or " smutty." The hens, which can always be purchased at an exhibition, are better spangled than the cocks, and are neater in comb, head, and earlobe ; they are well barred on the wing, dark in flufE, and furnished with white tails with a distinct " moon " on the. tip of each feather ; the spangling throughout the body is lustrous. Pure mooney hens improve after moulting, but, if at all sullied in their escutcheon, i.e., tainted with a cross, they deteriorate per- ceptibly. Silver Pheasant. — This is a shorter bird, neater in the head and comb, and with larger earlobes than the mooney, the latter point being an unstained white. As in the Golden Pheasant, the spangles are neither so round nor so large as in the mooney, and moreover they are quite free from the green hue so desirable in all spangled birds. The hens are barred on the wing, and both cock and hen have clear white tails, spangled at the tip. The cocks of both varieties are tipped with black in the hackle, and the hens striped. Golden Pheasant. — ^This is a large bird, coarse in the comb, large and white in earlobe, and blacker in spangling than the 24 HAMBUHGHS. mooney; the taU is black, and hackles striped; the moons are smaller and more crescentio than in the mooney. Golden-Spangled —It is still more important m breeding this variety to use separate pens for producing cockerels and pullets. White earlobes of good size, neat combs, and thick, bnlhant, me- taUio spangUng are absolutely necessary. The cockerels are best bred from a pheaswnt hen-tailed cock and mooney hens, as in the silvers the " heimy " give better size and spanglings. Pullets are bred from pure mooneys on both sides, with large, lustrous, greeny, spangling, neat combs, small but tinged earlobes, black tails, and striped hackles. Cross-bred hens are useless for any but domestic purposes. Mr. S. Fielding, well known as a very successful Hamburgh breeder, states that he breeds his best cockerels from the best exhibition cooks mated with hens good in head, comb, and earlobe, well spangled, neither too dark nor too hght.but of a strain known to breed good winning cocks. For pullets, he says : " Mate exhibition hens with a cock, brother to exhibition hens ; these ' brothers ' may be distinguished by their coarser heads, darker and brighter plumage than show cocks." In all Hamburghs it is advisable to reject weak or unhealthy birds. believe to be a year-old cock and three-year-old hens. Silver-Pencilled. — These, styled Hamburghs on account of their great similarity to the spangled Hamburghs in size, shape, and every point except markings, are entirely distinct from those varieties in both origin and constitution, but, like them, they must be bred from separate pens. To produce a clean white cockerel, good in earlobe, and distinctly laced in the sickle and side feathers of the tail (see frontispiece) — an important point — ^it is most advisable to select a thoroughly good exhibition cook, and such a bird may often be claimed for' £3 3s. at a first-rate show. Run him with hens which are distinctly pencilled throughout ; the pencil- ling, however, must be too hght, especially in the tail, for a show bird — dark hens will not breed good cockerels — we may almost say the hens should be rrmch too light ; they must, of course, be good in comb, and very white in ear. As it is often difficult to procure hens for breeding, and certainly impossible at good shows. Golden-spangled Hamburgli's Feather. The best breeding pen we HAMBUEGUS. 25 it is the best plaji to apply to some well-known exhibitor or oreeder for a selection. Pullets, to be darkly and sharply pencilled, are bred from cocks which are much too dark for exhibition : the tail must be dark, without the lacing of the show bird ; the under colour, or roots of the feathers, also dark, and black marks will be found about the body. As a rule it is well to reject cocks having the chestnut Hamburgh Cock's Hackle Feather. Hamburgh Cock's Saddle Feather. . patch on the wing, although old birds of the best strains are often liable to this weakness. The best exhibition pullets are very darkly pencilled, and, as a 'rule, cockerels of the same brood are equally dark; therefore, persons breeding puUets are able to pro- duce their own pullet-breeding cockerels, for it is these "dark brothers " that are the required birds. Successful prize-taking cocks with handsome tails invariably throw pullets light in body HAMBXJBGHS. and mossy in tail and mng, although it is rarely we see a hen pencilled in the wing at all. The hens for pullet breeding should be the best dark exhibition birds to be procured, covered with clear- defined pencilling to the tip of the tail, very white ear, and excessively small, even, well-piked comb. Golden-Pencilled. — The most diffi- cult point to attain in this variety is the rich golden ground so much ad- mired by all fanciers. They are the only Hamburghs which can with cer- tainty be depended upon to throw both sexes fit for wianing, from the same parents. Mr. S. Fielding, of Trent- ham, who has bred some of the very- best Hamburghs ever seen, tells us that he has produced most of his best birds in this manner : — For breeding good cockerels and pullets, mate a very rich dark golden bay cock, dark in the tail, sprightly and consequently good in carriage, with heavily and distinctly pencilled hens of as deep and even a ground colour as can be obtained. Bronzed tails are not objectionable, but not so advisable as dark ones ; it is not necessary to seek for deep under-colour as ia silver pencils. In a good cock the inner web of the secondaries will be black. Both birds must have very small good shaped combs, and stainless earlobes. In all Hamburghs blue legs are imperative. Black Hamburghs are often accused of being a manufactured variety ; probably they are, but we know a strain, and one of the most sucoesBful in England, that has new&r been crossed, although established many years. To breed Black Hamburghs, select perfect specimens of entirely different strains and await the result: with care and attention to the demanded points, it will be found that no crossing is required. We are often told, and have as often read, that perfect birds of both sexes cannot be bred from the same parents, and that it is necessary to cross ,the Black Spanish with dark specimens of the Golden-spangled Hamburgh, and breed from the produce ; but, in the face of the fact that tolerable specimens have been manu- factured in this way, we disbelieve in the theory; such a cross would constantly show itself in the chicken, but it is extremely rare that we hear of Black Hamburghs with single combs, unless at the " barndoor." We are informed hj a large and successful breeder, well known to the poultry world, that out of some three Pencilled Hamburgh's (hen) Feather. HAMBUKGHS— POLANDS. 27 hundred to four hundred chicken he only met with one single comb. It is essential to select birds of intensely black plumage, of metallic hue, very large and purely white earlobe, and grand striking carnage ; comb and legs as in other Eamburghs. POLANDS. White-crested Black. — In this variety the fact that, in judg ing, nearly half the points count for the crest alone, wUl show the necessity of making it a desideratum. First, therefore, as large- crested cocks throw better than large-crested hens, it is necessary to secure a good male bird. His crest must be la£ge, well-formed, and very wmte, or as white as can be obtained. He should have a few black feathers in front — ^but not, by any means, an abundance — long wattles, no comb, pure white ear, short dark-blue or black legs, sprightly carriage, and rich black plumage, with brilliant metallic reflections. He should be well arched in the neck, and the centre of his crest must be well filled — ^not, as i^ often seen in "dressed birds," bare in the centre of the poll. The crest of the hen should be white, and first-rate in shape, even at the expense of size ; the tail should be carried erect, giving her a square appearance. For size, in Polands a cock should weigh seven jjounds, hens, five pounds ; as the chicken are tender, it is preferable to breed from old birds only. Silver. — Whether the lacing or spangling is preferred in these birds, it is equally important that they should be largely crested. We prefer the ajjangled birds, although the majority of win- ning pens are now composed of laced specimens. Both varieties breed very true, and therefore it is advisable to select as stock, birds well spangled throughout, distinctly Tsarred on the wing, clear in the tail — whic^i must bis tipped throughout — crest very full, so as to completely hide the face, every feather being distinctly spangled, although old birds are not objectionable if they have a few quite white feathers — but it must be only a few. In the absence of wattles, they must be furnished with a full, thick beard. Dark-tailed cocks have frequently taken prizes, but it cannot be denied that birds with clear tails are infinitely preferable. In silvers, blue legs are essential. ' Golden. — Although, as is well known, when gold and silvers are crossed the chicken thrown are as perfect in characteristics as if bred from parents of one colour, yet we believe that the Golden Folands lose their richness ; therefore, in all cases, we would pre- fer mating richly-coloured birds. They should also be well spangled throughout, except in hackle and wings, in which lacing is pre- ferred, and also the saddle of the cock. Almost above all the points, select a cock and hens having really full, globular crests. Nothing is worse to perpetuate than the great hollow crests so 28 POLAXDS— MALAYS— BANTAMS. often Been, however large. The feathers in the crest are laced, and in adults white feathers are admissible. A rich, dear tail is also very desirable, if well tipped with black ; but white, however small, is almost fatal for breeding. In other respects the golden are bred similarly to silvers. MALATS. Hed. — The chief requisites in this variety are height and close feather, but it is also necessary to obtain good colour and shape. To attain this end we quote the advice of two of our most eminent breeders : " Select a cock, a rich red in hackle and saddle, rather dark in shade, deep maroon on the back and shoulders, and black breast, or what is equally admissible, black slightly mottled with a reddish brown ; a well barred wing is indispensable." We may note that it is considered advantageous to secure good colour in the cock even at the expense of the hen, whose plumage is of a beautiful red-brown, rich in the hackle and back, but dull in the breast and deepening in the tail. The cock should weigh from ten to eleven pounds and the hen from eight to nine, the larger her frame the better, it being admitted that the chickens take after the hen in size. Both birds must be extremely long in the neck and leg, the cock standing fiilly two and a half feet high and even nearer three feet if possible. In good birds the carriage will be very upright, hackles very scant, especially in the hen, shoulders very broad, wings very tightly clipped, thighs strong, tail short and drooping (except in the hen, which carries it upright), and, above all, the feather ex- cessively glossy and close; the eye should be pearl, beak very strong, comb flat, warty and, like the ears and wattles, very small. In all Malays the legs are a bright yellow. Amateurs selecting breeding stock possessing the above quahfi- cations, may depend upon breeding specimens of the highest class. White and File IVuilays are identical with the red in all but Colour of plumage, the piles being a simple cross between the red and the white varieties. BANTA3IS. Sebrights are a thoroughly artificial variety, and, as such require much skill in mating for colour and lacing. It is necessary to obtain diminutive size, good comb, ear, colour and lacing, and hen feather in the cock. First : keep the colours distinct, as it is this carelessness which, it is beUeved, has destroyed the beautiful silvers of earlier days. Both varieties will throw opposite colours at times, therefore the best coloured birds to be obtained only should be bred from, as these sports, however good as chicken, invariably moult a mongrel colour. The cock for breeding; had THE MALAY. BANTAMS. 29 bettor "show a little " length " in his sickles, say half an inch over the other tail feathers ; he should be first rate and distinct in colour and laciug, with small firm neat rose comb of a bright red, where- as the hens must be purple; both birds have blue legs and earlobes; the hen must be small and especially well laced on the wing and tail. "We have noticed in many good birds an inclina- tion to mossing on the feather, running from the edging, therefore distinct sharp lacing is very necessary to prevent this blemish. It is generally behoved that perfectly hen- tailed cocks are infertile, but we are assured that although a large maiority of the eggs of all Sebrights are unproductive, many of the best chicken are bred from show birds. The Eev. G. F. Hodson (whose kind remarks we hope to give in a future part) states that he has had fine broods this season from these hen-tailed cocks, Sotrigiit or Gold- and that he always found them fertile if treated Feathei\° ° more like fowls and less like exotic plants ; the hens if often shown, "will lay infertile eggs, pro- ba"Dly, from the knocking about they receive in travelling. There is plenty of scope in Sebright breeding, but, probably from the prohibitory prices of the pens exhibited, first-rate specimens are seldom obtainable ; an old cock mated with two-year-old hens is preferable; at this age the cock may be very inferior both in colour and lacing, but if known to have heen a good bird, he will throw first-class chicken nevertheless. Earlobes tinged with red, hollow combs, Ught eyes, light legs, or hackled cocks are to be avoided, but stock birds may weigh twenty-six and twenty ounces respectively, and prove successful breeders. Black Bantams are now brought to great perfection, and need to be almost perfect to prove successful prize-takers. Both parents should be perfect; lustrous plumage, diminutive size, bright red even comb, wattles, and face, well-defined pure white earlobes, full tail, jaunty carriage, and very dark or black and short legs, are all necessary; and such birds should be mated for breeding. The L'ock may weigh twenty-two, and the hen sixteen ounces. White Bantams are, in many respects, like the black. The most perfect specimens only should be mated for first class chicken. As in blacks, the chicken must be very diminutive ; indeed, we have seen many good hens weighing no more than ten ounces, and cocks under fifteen. White Bantams must be perfectly free from the yellow tinge, with red face and comb, white ears, large full tail, short white legs, and proud consequential carriage. Japanese Bantams are simply bred from the best specimens obtainable. Small size, short legs, large, even, single combs, purely white bodies, and large, flowing, Ijlack taUs, laced with white, are the requisite points. 30 BANTAMS. Game. — For every requisite, except size, the remarks npon Grame fowl apply equally to Game Bantatus. They should simply be excessively small counterparts of their larger brethren. These handsome birds are now so universally bred that we hope more attention will be devoted to them, as, notwithstanding this fa6t, we find that such noted breeders as Messrs. Entmsle, Shumach, Crosland, and others, are always able to hold their own. In selecting stock, discard short-legged, thick birds, game only in plumage, giving a decided preference to those medium-sized, long- legged, and slender. Medium birds are always better in shape than very small ones. 1^ ceEvec(eue cock. p. 47. EXHIBITION POULTRY. COCHINS. It is now many years since the Cochin China made its appearance and established a footing for itself, amid the jeers and jests of thousands who had no taste for its handsome appeai-ance or plea,s- ing habits. The admirers of the game fowl may reasonably make invidious comparisons, but where the game cook maybe compared to the sporting greyhound, so may the Cochin be compared to the more burly, bat more affectionate companion of man — the St. Bemai'd or Newfoundland. Amidst a storm of opposition the Cochin China has held its own, and by its useful qualities and contented habits bids fair to maintain a position hitherto un- approaohed by any variety save its own cousin-german, the Brahmapootra. At the present day jealous fanciers remark that the high prices of a dozen years ago are now unattainable, but it is a fact that first-rate buffs constantly command £10, £16, and £20, several pairs having this year fetched 30 guineas ; indeed, it may be remarked, that to " take care " of their birds, exhibitors make a practice of putting £50 upon their pens, £20 and even £30 often being no protection. The Cochin is without doubt the largest of our domestic poultry, without in any way disparaging the Brahma. In shape of body it is wedge-like, the breast being as deep, broad, and full as possible ; back very broad, indeed we may use the word " massive ; " in shape the back has a hollow appearance, the hackle, which should be abun- dant, falling with a sweep over it, and the saddle rising nicely into the tail; when in full plumage the hackle will almost meet the saddle, and the graceful shape is thereby better developed. The tail of the Cochin is still a knotty point, inasmuch as certain judges prefer short tails, or (in other words) no tails at all. This fancy causes much trimming, and pulled tails are often the order of the day; we prefer to see them left intact. A tail is essential to the breed, and to encourage ' pulling " is unjust, inasmuch as a bad tail may be prevented from disgracing its owner, whereas a good one is possibly beaten by " no tail at all." We like to see the cock's tail moderately full, the feathers crisp, well curled, and not too long ; it should be neither horizontal nor erect but a gradual rise from the saddle and between the two extremes. As to comb : It should bo small, upright, single, thick at the base, gradually thinning towards 34 COCHIKS. the tips, firm, carried well back, and be well and evenly sepated, without sprigs or excrescences of any kind. The head is very small for the size of the bird (this fact may be observed in a fine pullet), intelligent, and the eye clear and expressive; the earlobe is long, pendent, and, like the comb and wattles, a brilliant red, any white being a fault ; the wattles are long and well rounded. The wing of the Cochin is, strangely, very small, the primaries being well and tightly doubled up; in full feather the sides of the wing are always imbedded in the fluff, the cushion falling well over the tip ; the thighs and legs are large and strong, the former being well furnished with soft fluff, the feathers curling in abundance round the hock — soft feathers may be allowed to project behind the hock although the appearance may savour of the " vulture," but this is immaterial so long as there are no stiff or quill feathers ; the legs, which should be set wide apart, must be feathered down to the tips of the outer and middle toes, the feather not running down the leg but growing outward boldly. The Coohm hen has a very deep heavy short-legged appearance, and is, perhaps, the most gentle, contented, and docile bird in the poultry yard ; her carriage is particularly low, and her expression extremely neat and pleasing; in feather she is even more downy than the cock, the fluff reaching almost to the ground in many specimens — such birds as those in which nothing can be detected between the fluff of the thigh and the laterally spread feathers of the feet ; the back should be very broad, an abundance of feather rising from the middle up to the tail and falling over the side of the bird, giving a distinct appearance to this part which is termed the "cushion." Sometimes the rise of the cushion terminates before reaching the tail, or it falls into it; this we object to, pre- ferring the rise to the last. The breast is broad and carried "so low that as the bird is running along it appears to almost touch the ground; the wing is very small, the bow and tips being covered by the breast and cushion feathers, and the primaries are tightly clipped up ; the comb should be single, very erect and neat, particularly small, low, well serrated, and straight; the beak is small, strong, and curved; head very small, neat, and intelligent ; earlobe red and large ; wattles comparatively small and cleanly rounded ; neck carried well forward, rather short, and hackle feathers full, especially at the base ; tail very short, almost hidden by the cushion, and carried between the perpendicular and horizontal ; thighs and legs very short and abundantly feathered, the legs being well feathered, thick, and yellow — falcon or vulture hock is objectionable, but allowable as mentioned for the cock ; the toes should be strong and straight, the outer and middle ones furnished with an abundance of laterally spreading feathers. In carriage Cochins are stately, majestic, and noble ; a fine cock will weigh 121b., and hen 91b. to 101b., increasing for two or three years. Buffs have a peculiar colour which confines itself to them alone; 4 BUFF COCHrN PULLET. P. :il. COCHINS. 37 that is, upon the back, saddle, hackle, and wing, it is a rich, very deep buff, a golden buflf on the hackle and saddle, but still deeper on the wing ; this colour should be sound, clear, and free from mealiness, especially on the wing ; if even in all these points we prefer it, but it generally deepens at the base of the hackle to a uniform colour with the back and wing, the breast, thighs, and fluff are of a clear uniform buff, neither bright nor deep, but sound and free from mottling, the head is generally a brightei gold than the hackle, and may be preferred as such; the tail, unless the bird enjoys a compulsory moult in addition to its natural one, should be bronzed, we prefer it a rich chesnut on one web and dull black on the other, but whole chesnut is preferred ; the leg feather should be an unmixed uniform buff, in the hen the colour should be particularly uniform, a clear deep genuine buff throughout such a colour as the " pullet " in the accompanying woodcut is, or the winning pullets at the Crystal Palace and Birmingham, 1872, which were bred by Captain Heaton, and claimed by Mr. W. A. Taylor, at, we believe, £40. These are great exceptions, the generality of the birds now exhibited being either mottled (as most of the prize hens at Birmingham) or a shade between a silver buff and a lemon, a real genuine well coloured pullet is invaluable, and a hen, if possible, more so ; it should be noticed that a striped hackle, as often seen in inferior specimens, is most objectionable, but a delicate marking at the tips of the feathers is not obnoxious if it forms an even and slightly distinct ring round the neck. Lemons. — In this shade the cook should be a uniform, rich, bright, gaudy, lemon buff in the hackle, saddle, back, and wing, which should be sound and quite free from mealiness ; the head is a shade lighter, and the breast and fluff a dear, uniform Ught bufi', quite free from any mottling or lacing; lemon cocks are very striking from their excessively rich even colour and are free from the dulness of buffs; the tail we prefer to see bronzed or buff on one web and a brown-black on the other, many, however, prefer a bright chesnut tail ; black is objectionable, as in buffs. Lemon hens are of a clear uniform lemon throughout. Lemon is a colour which, appertaining to Cochins, is difficult to describe, it may be termed a rich, Ught golden buff; mottling or lacing of any kind is most objectionable, as the bird should be of one shade throughout the body. Silver-Buffs. — ^The hackle of the cock is of a gold colour, rich and gay in appearance ; the remainder of the body being a very light or bright silver buff — ^uniform, clear, and even in colour. The breast and fluff should, perhaps, be a shade lighter than the back and wings. The tail should be lightly bronzed, or a Ught chesnut ; black or white being objectionable — particularly the former — but as white creeps into the tail of tHs colour, it is often admitted. 7 38 COCHEfS. The Silver-bufE hen is also an evenly-coloured bird, uniform in appearance, without shading or mottling. The colour is a very light bufE — called a sUver-bnff — between a lemon and a French white. We do not like it quite a French white, but approaching it. The hackle, however, is a golden colour, and sets ofi the bird to advantage. Cinnamons are now seldom seen ; the colour, once a favourite, has fallen into disrepute, and fanciers incline towards the more brilliant lemon. The hackle, saddle, wings, and back of the cock are of a deep, dark, heavy cinnamon ; by no means rich or hand- some in appearance. The hen is of a similar colour ; and the breast and flufp, together with the leg feather, are of one uniform shade, usually described as a " wetted cinnamon," which is also the colour of the hens throughout their entire body. The tail of the cock should be a deep bronze, or deep chocolate, and black. Silver-Oinnamons have so entirely gone out of favour that they need no description. The washy, mealy colour of the cook is not likely, among the colours now shown, to become a prize- taker; indeed, such a bird is looked upon as one of the mon- grels of Cochins by most breeders. The hen is, however, more deserving of notice ; her hackle is a bright cinnamon, rather deep in shade, and forming a distinct ring at the base ; the remainder of the plumage being a pale buff, approaching the colour of a silver-buff, but having a decided distinction from the hackle. Partridge.— This dark and beautiful variety, we believe, is gradually increasing in public estimation, and although not, perhaps, so large or attractive as the buffs, they are much to be admired. The hackle and saddle are a rich, bright, golden red, gradually shading off to a golden colour at the base. Each feather should be striped with a clear deep black stripe down the middle. The back and shoulders ai-e of the same colour as the hackle, but much darker. The primary quills of the wing should be a deep bay on the outside web, and black on the inside, the secondaries being similar, with the addition of a black mark at the end of each feather. The coverts must be a complete and rich metaUic black, forming the well-known bar, without which no bird is perfect. The bow of the wing should be a dark bayish red ; the whole of the underpart of the body — breast, thighs, leg feather, fluff, &o. — must be a pure and rich black, and as glossy as possible. Any white is most objectionable. Good birds are often shown slightly red in the fluff of the thigh; this was always looked upon as tantamount to a disqualification, but we noticed that the judges at the Crystal Palace Show (1871) awarded a prize to a code possessing this marking. The tail of the partridge cook should be a rich, metalhc blue- black, entirely free from white. White down or fluff is also to be avoided in the roots of the tail. In the hen the hackle is COCHINS — BEAHMAS. 39 a beautiful gold colour, every feather striped with a deep, broad, black stripe down, the middle. The remainder of the body is a light brown — not a yellow bi'owu, as is often seen, especially in the breast — the feathers being well and distinctly penciZZerf — not mossed, or merely marked — with a much darker brown, the pencilling reaching well up to the throat, and being plainly observable on the fluff of the thigh. The shafts of the feathers should be clearly noticeable from their bright appearance, being almost white. Grouse hens (the cocks to match being partridge) are much deeper in colour, the hackle being a deep red gold colour striped with black, and the body plumage about two shades darker than the partridge, the pencilling being as distinct as in that variety ; the shafts of the feathers are also darker. "White Cochins do not need any description as to colour, it is, however, necessary to say that the plumage must be a spotless white throughout, any colour, no matter how small, being most objectionable, and the yellow tinge, almost universal though it is, is as undesirable. Slacks we may speak of in almost similar terms, the slightest mixture of white or colour is a disqualification. Cuckoo Cochins occasionally show to advantage, and we have seen specimens which would run good whites hard in competition, but, as a rule, the variety is scarce. The ground colour is grey, every feather being transversely striped with a dark or slaty grey, similar to the cuckoo itself. Emu or Silky Cochins are peculiar, from the fact of the feathers throughout the body being fluffy, loose, and the barbs entirely disconnected ; they are much smaller than other Cochins, although, from the nature of the feather, they have a very deceptive appear- ance. In concluding this description of Cochins it may be mentioned that where exhibition is intended the birds must match in a pen, the flights must not be twisted or backs deformed ; crooked tails, lop combs, clean, red, or green legs are also disqualifications, and in the partridge variety the cocks must not have mottled breasts or thighs ; in all cases the judges look most to colour, next to size and shape, in the order named. BBAHMAS. This variety should combine in shape the proportions of the Cochin and the Dorking. " The trial form," says an American fancier, "of a Brahma is, that it may have equal breast and posterior weight." Let the breast be forward and broad, back short — ^very short and very broad, the saddle rising into the tail, which in the cock should be even, unbroken, crisp, and lustrous. "We like the sickles edged lightly with silver, and not more than an inch longer than the remainder of the tail. 9 40 BKAHMAS. It should be carried upright but not so much as to be " squirrel." A drooping or Malay tail is as foreign as a single comb. White feathers are also objectionable. The tail coverts should be broad, well covered, and black, the lesser coverts being laced. The head of a Brahma is always small and unusually fine and slender — coarse heads are an abomination ; the eye has a peculiar expression, owing to the breadth of the head, but it is nevertheless bright and intelligent. The beak is strong, curved, and dark; pea comb, the smaller the better, having the appearance of three small serrated ridges, which unite at the pike, and which should be a Uttle curved backwards. The central ridge, like the others, is serrated, but larger and more distinct. The deaf-ear and wat- tles are long and bright-red ; the former well-rounded, the latter pendant. The neck should be well ewved: this is a most im- portant point, giving character and style to a bird, which, how- ever good, without it would never look so well ; but if curved too much it is termed bull-necked, and is not appreciated by the judges. At the junction with the head, which is shown by a small indentation, it is slender, the hackle flowing in abundance from this point, and falling well over the back and shoulders, giving the back a short and hollow appearance, and harmonising with the uniform shape of the tail. The hackle should be w/iiie, not yellow, silvery in the dark variety, each feather having a broad deep black stripe down the centre. Whether the saddle of light cocks should be striped is a matter of fancy, it is not imperative. Some breeders object to it, stating that it does not belong to the variety, and no blood Light Brahma ever had it. We cannot say we prefer it ; as it is, birds are either shown too dark or too light in pencilling on the saddle. Dark cocks are always well striped on the saddle, the ground of the feather being silver. The wings are small, the primaries black in the light variety, and in the darks edged with white on the outer web, their points being well tucked under the saddle feathers of the cock and imbedded in the fluff of the hen. The secondaries are white on the outer web in both varieties. The flufE should be abundant, run- ning down to the hock in the hen. We object to dark fluS in light Brahmas, and however true a pearly under-flufE may be, it does not looh well. The hock should be well covered with soft curhng feathers ; all stiff or quilled feathers are to be avoided, showing the "falcon hock;" but though a bird may appear heavily hocked, provided the feathers are soft it is not so, and will find favour with our best Brahma judges. The leg should be rather short, strong, yellow, and heavily-feathered down to the tip of the outer middle toe, the feather standing well out, and being sUghtly mottled with black in the Light, and white in the Dark variety. Light Brahmas should be very white (yellow being most objec- tionable, although unfortunately very plentiful), except in those points already described, viz. : — hackle, tail, and leg feather. In dark Brahmas the breast and fluff may be either black, or slightly DARK BEAHMA HEN. p. 10. mottled with -white — black breasts, at the present time, appear all the rage — but we were lately told by an eminent judge that he preferred well-mottled breasts to any others, and disliked the black breasts so often seen with a little mottling in the throat. We noticed that many of the selected birds at the Palace and Birmingham shows (1871) were white in the thigh. The head, back, shoulders, coverts, wing-bow, and saddle, are white or silvery-white, the latter being well striped with black, the stripes becoming broader nearer the tail. The lustrous bar on the wing is formed by the wing coverts, which are of a rich green black. We observe, in some breeders, a tendency to encourage a Cochin-like shape in their hens; the fluff is not so abundant, nor the cushion so heavy and full in the Brahma, but the cushion should still rise well, and almost bury the small tail, -yrhich must be black, the top and side feathers being neatly laced with white in the light variety. The legs are very short, giving the bird a low appear- ance in comparison with the cocks. In light hens the head is white, in dark almost grey, although we have seen some beautiful light hens striped from the top of the head. In each variety the hackle is well striped, with a broad deep black stripe, clear and distinct to the eye. The colour of the dark hens is very opposite to the lights : it is variously described — some strains are of a peculiarly light brown colour, each feather being distinctly pen- cilled with a darker brown (See Illustration on p. 9, Part I.), others are described as of a dingy grey or white ground, the pencillings being of a darker grey — in either colour it should run well up to the throat, the breast having a salmon ground in the brown birds. But the best coloured pullets we ever saw were the darkest, the ground being a dark grey and the pencillings of an intense black, throwing up a metallic reflection ; these are very rare, and if more generally bred would be sure to hold their own. In exhibiting Brahmas, it is of course necessary that the birds should match, both in colour and comb; it is useless to show any but a pea- comb. The leg should also match, bright yellow in the light, and a dusky yellow in the dark varieties. In weight a fine cock should be 111b., without superfluous fat; some birds are even 131b. in their first adult year, attaining 141b. and 151b. in their second and third years — we speak of the dark variety. Light cocks are generally from lib. to 21b. lighter, 101b. being a capital weight for a young bird, and 121b. for an old one. Dark hens, in their first year (not puUets), will weigh from 81b. to 91b. ; good birds often weigh 91b., and occasionally more. Light hens turn the scale at a pound less. Two to three-year-old hens, of both varieties, frequently weigh 101b., and sometimes 111b. As in Cochins, colour is the most important point in all Brahmas, and next, size ; shape and condition following as the necessary quali- fications for a winning bird. An illustration of Light Brahma cock will be found on p. 11, Part L 13 44 DORKlIvGS. SOKKIITGS. Dorkings are bred principally for size, but in consequence of the importance of colour in silver-greys and whites these varieties cannot compete sucoessfully with the common Dorking in weight However, allDorkings should be square and massive in appeEtrance, the breast being long, full, and broad ; back very wide ; thighs short and stout; legs short, white, clean, and stout, the spur being inside, the feet having five toes well separated and developed ; tail well expanded, erect, large, and feathers broad ; wings large and well clipped up ; head rather small and neat, comb either an erect, clean, evenly-serrated single, or a straight, well-piked, even, rose, square in front ; beak strong, and rather short ; earlobes long and pendent ; wattles very long, broad, and rounded. The body of a Dorking is bulky, deep, and plump, and the carriage of the cook noble and stately. The comb of the hen, if single, should be largely developed, and fall over one side of the face ; her neck is short, wattles rather large, legs short and thick, wings large, tail large and full, feet five-toed, and general appearance of body bulky, square, and plump, as in the cock. Greys. — ^The colour is not significant, provided the partners of a pen match. Dark and light birds have each their admirers and triumphs. We must say, however, that we prefer the light variety — ^blaok, or nearly black, breast, and white hackle, back, and saddle, lightly striped, the wing being white, with a distinct and brilHant bar. Many first-rate judges prefer the Dark Dorking — that is to say, the darh hackled birds which are also dark in the back and saddle. Silver-Greys are of a deep, glossy black on the breast, thighs, and underparts ; head, hackle, and saddle white. In the wing the primaries are black, with a white edge on the outer web, the secondaries being white on the outside web ; the coverts are green-black, and form the well-known bar, the wing bow being white ; the tail is a deep black, and the sickle and side feathers a rich green-black; the lesser tail coverts should be laced with white. The hen has a silvery head and hackle, the latter striped with black ; back wing bow and shoulders of a silvery grey colour, the feathers having a white shaft — any red or brown patches or marks being undesirable ; breast salmon-colour, fading off towards the thighs ; the thighs are grey, and tail a dark grey, very dark in the inside. "White Dorkings need to be of a virgin white, a colour often difficult to obtain in the cocks. Any black or coloured feathers disqualify. Rose combs are usually preferred. In this variety a better white and greater size are most desirable. Cuckoo Dorkings are little cultivated. The marking is a simple " cuckoo " throughout the body, the general points of the Dorking being exactly similar. This variety is in great need of size. 14 DOKKINGS — SPANlSn. 'i5 We have noticed a variety of colours in Dorkings, more par- ticularly in Sussex, where shades and varieties of the same family are indiscriminately mixed. There are the speckled, which are of a mottled or cuckoo mai-king in different colours ; also the blue Dorking, but they are unknown as exhibition birds, except in the immediate neighbourhood of Sussex. In weight a young Dorking cook should be at least 111b., withj out being positively fat ; and a year should put on from lib. to 21b. extra. Pine young hens will weigh 91b., and sometimes 101b. We have frequently seen this weight in young and healthy birds, and consider it easily attainable. The silver-grey and other varieties are usually from lib. to 21b. lighter. It may be remarked that, in selecting Dorkings for exhibition, a lop-comb in the cook is, although not desirable, by no means as disadvantageous as in Spanish or Cochins. Of all points, next to the actual body, jiidges look to the feet and toes. Swollen feet must be stamped out, and also monstrosities in the toes ; the extra toe being well placed, distinct, and turned upwards. SPANISH. Although the white-faced birds are now generally known as the Spanish, it is an undoubted fact that the red-faced, the white, and the blue birds are as much Spanish in origin, although differing in colour and face. Of all points in the white-faced birds, the face itself is the most important. Indeed, so important is it, that we believe size is sacrificed to obtain it. It should rise well over the eye to the back of the head, and forward to the beak, joining the earlobes, and meeting under the wattles. The higher it extends, and the longer and broader it is, the better. The earlobes should be Idng, pendent, very large, well extended, and well rounded. The shape of the earlobes is seldom good at the present time. Mr. Teebay specially remarked this fact at Birmingham ; almost every bird, however good in the points, had a lapped or folded ear- lobe, than which nothing can be more reprehensible. In quality, the face and earlobe should be very smooth, fine, opaque, very- white, entirely free from wrinkles, especially round the eye ; any red is a fatal fault. In the hen, the arched and rounded shape of the face and wattles are, perhaps, more conspicuous than in the cock. We would lay particular stress upon the shape of the face, remembering a pen most exquisite in this point, which, although having small faces, came out winners in a strong competition, beating several crack birds having much larger, but ugly, faces, the quality being equally good. The comb of the cook (an important appendage, par- ticularly in the cock) should be moderately large ; not so large as is now usually shown — a size which the best judges deprecate — firm, 15 46 SPANISH. erect, straight, and quite stifi, without the suspicion of a lop. It should be broad and thick at the base, gradually tapering to the points, rising from the beak in an arched form over the back of the head, being evenly and deeply serrated, and without those questionable ornaments, sprigs, or other coarse excrescences. We prefer a brilliant red comb, of fine and delicate texture, even though it be small. The hen's comb should be particularly thin and delicate, moderately large, free from sprigs, and falling well over the side of the face. During the moult it often becomes erect and small, therefore a bird should never be condemned without inquiry, or a knowledge of the breed. The beak should be long and thick, and of a deep horn colour ; the head long, and rather broad; eye full, bright, and free from any obstruc- tions in the face. Old cocks are very prone to become wrinkled round the eye ; and we remember seeing a bird which was positively Vlmd,, standing in a first prize pen. The exhibitor admitted that he was blind, and had been fed by hand for some weeks. The wattles of Spanish are very long, particularly thin, and delicate in texture, and of a bright red, excepting just under the beak (between each wattle), which is white. The legs should be a dark leaden colour, or a dark blue — a lighter blue is often shown and much admired — and long and fine in shape; The breast should project well, giving a full appearance to the bird; the back should slant straight from the curve at the base of the hackle to the root of the tail, which springs upright, and is carried well forward, not slanting as in the Cochin, or " squirrel " fashion as in the Japanese bantam ; it should be large, broad, and fully expanded, with long, sound sickles. The neck is long, and gently curved; the hackle full, and flowing well over the back ; the wings are rather large, and clipped well up to the body — a loose or uneven wing looks very bad in the Spanish fowl, and, luckily, is not frequent. The tail of the hen is also large, and carried erect, giving her a " squareness " which does not appertain to the cock. We prefer the feathers straight, but the top pair are often a little curved. In colour Spanish should be or the richest metallic black, literally reflecting a green lustre, especially on the hackle, saddle, and tail ; they are handsome, striking, majestic, and up- right in carriage, and quick in their movements. A good cock wul weigh from 71b. to 81b., and a hen a pound less. To show the actual value of good white face and earlobes, and comb, it is a fact that much more attention is paid to these points than to the size, plumage, or shape of the bird. The disqualifications are — falling combs, red marks in the face, any mixture in the plumage, or wrongly-coloured legs. Hinorcas. — To describe minutely every point in this variety would, to a very great extent, be to describe the white-faced Spanish again ; therefore it will sufBce to state that the great diSerence existing between the two sub-varieties is in size, leg, and face. Minorcas are much larger, shorter on the leg, and have red faces ; 16 SPANISH — rKENCH. 47 short leg and large frame is as oharaoteristio of the breed as the red face, and must be insisted upon ; any white in the face, and this is frequently seen in fine specimens, is a great defect ; the comb, which is very large, is apt to lop a little, this also should be avoided ; in earlobe, colour, shape, colour of leg and comb, they resemble Spanish, and, as a rule, may be considered as a pound heavier in weight ; possibly the comb of the hen is coarser and more developed than in the Spanish. White Minorcas, except in colour, axe identical with the. blacks. Andalusians or blue Spanish are of various shades ; the most popular colour is the slate blue, in which the hackle and tail are a rich velvety black. In some birds of this colour the feathers are edged with a darker hue. From parents of the above colour black Andalusians are sometimes thrown (these are very like the Minorca), also what may be termed silver piles, the colour being an admixture of blue and silver ; in all Andalusians the leg should be blue and long, comb much smaller than the Minorca, but in all other points they resemble that breed. Anconas are a race almost unknown in many parts of England, and in the locality in which they are most kept they do not attain a high standard of excellence ; they are generally blue and white, mottled " cuckoo " fashion, sometimes black and white are exhibited, but the colour is very uncertain and not much esteemed by even local fanciers ; although smaller than both Minorcas and Spanish they resemble the former variety in general points. lieghoms, it seems, are destined to take refuge in the Spanish classes, for, in spite of their little peculiarity in the leg, English fanciers persist in giving them a Spanish origin, and awarding their " manufacturers " faint praise for their cleverness. In colour, Leghorns are white (we speak of the English fancy only) throughout the plumage, face bright red, comb single, tail erect and well sickled, and legs yellow ; they are very sprightly and attractive although certainly small. In America brown and Dominique coloured Leghorns are also bred and exhibited ; we should imagine the latter to be very similar to our own Anconas. FRENCH. Crgvecoeurs are at present of one colour only — black, although at no distant period we hope to see a white variety of merit. We are aware there are white creves at the present time but they are so inferior as to be unworthy of the name. The real colour of a crhve is a glossy metallic black as lustrous as can well ba imagined, the wings and saddle being especially brilliant ; in shape they are plump, thick and compact looking, short in the leg, full in breast, wide in the back, and square in body. The crest or top' E .1? 4b FBENCE. knot of the cock is very f nflj fumislied with pure black hackle feathers ■which should incline backward, any hollow or white is a fault, although old cocks usually have a supply of those hoary feathers ; the beard or mufE shoidd be very thick and large, grow- ing well back to the eye, wattles rather long and thin ; we prefer to see them, to some extent, uniform in length with the comb, the earlobe is very small and should not be seen, the colour is not of much importance, we have seen both red and red and white on first-rate birds ; the comb should be in the shape of two straight horns pointing nearly midway between the horizontal and perjien- dicular but inclining more to the latter; we would prefer it a little more upright than that shown on page 32, it should be quite free from sprigs and evenly enlarged at the base ; the face is red and almost hidden by the muffling ; beak black, the nostrils being arched as in all crested fowls ; eye particularly faU and bright; the neck is very heavily hackled and arched below the crest; the wings are always very clean and tightly clipped ; tail very full, the sickles being very long and brilliant and side sickles abundant and gaudy; legs should be clean, fine, and black, or very dark slate. Creves used to be shown with a mixture of yellow feathers on the hackle, but this is bred out of all good strains and is not tolerated by the judges ; the hen should be deep, very short legged, square and heavy looking, a very bright black, with large and sound taU carried backward, very full round crest free from white (although in most hens a little will be found), and small deaf ears concealed by the feather; the beard should be very large, hanging in an even bunch from the beak, and running well up to the crest ; wattles and comb as in the cock, but small ; the hackle is very full, giving the neck a thick arched appearance. A very fine cook will weigh from 91b. to 101b., but these weights are rare, 71b. to 81b. beiQg the average; hens frequently weigh from 71b. and sometimes even 81b. The most desirable points in craves, if quite black, are size of crest and frame, and comb — ^ugly combs rarely win good prizes, and light legs or coloured or white feathers must be considered very undesirable. The Du Hans is a medium-sized, crested, double combed fowl, of a lustrous black plumage. It is a non-sitter, lays large eggs, and fattens readily for the table. The Oueldres. — These birds are handsome, close feathered, pro- minent in breast, very hardy, and rather large in size, the cocks weighing 71b. The great majority of specimens are very similar in marking and colour to the Cuckoo Dorking, although there are also Black, White, and Grey Gueldres. The absence of both crest and comb, and the presence of long and pendent wattles, is very striking. The legs are blue and fairly feathered, the face and ears red, and the tail large and erect. They are non-sitters, and capital layers throughout the year of large and uncommonly fertile eggs, and therefore may be summed-up as a really useful fowl. 18 ceEvecceue hen. p. 47. ERENCa.' 51 Houdans are a remarkably striking race, they are large and plump ; good hens weigh from 6Jlb. to 7Jlb., and cooks from 81b. to 9Jlb. ; in colour they are black and white, black predominating, and the white evenly distributed throughout the body, leaving no patches of either colour ; the black should have a rich glossy olive tint and is to be preferred to the dead shade so often shown. Well marked birds, in which the markings or spangles are even, regular, and small, if entirely free from coloured feathers of any land, are exceedingly handsome ; the crest of the cock is large, well arched, falling over the sides, and full in the centre ; the comb is preferred of the antler shape, in which two flat branches, coral- like and broad, well serrated and brilliant in colour incline back into the crest, some fanciers, however, admire the spiral or horned comb as in the Crfeveooeur ; the wattles are moderq,tely long, red, and thin ; face red, well covered by the very full beard which also hangs in a bunch under the beak ; the thighs are short and stout, legs fine and as near white as possible, being generally, however, shaded with black ; toes straight and firm excepting the fifth which is very distinct and curved upwards ; beak nearly black, the nostrils arched and wide ; the back is straight and broad, hackle , full, breast round and full, wing carried well up, the bow we prefer white ; the tail is full, well siokled, and nearly erect, the sickle feathers are sometimes white, but black are preferable. The best Houdan hen we ever saw, or at least, one of the best, was in Mr. Quibell's first prize pen at Birmingham (1871). She was most even in markings, if anything black predominated; her beard hung from the beak like a bell, her comb was small, coral-like, and of the two-horned shape ; crest very full, globular, well laid back, and evenly marked ; hackle full of evenly marked feathers, whiskers perfectly developed, meeting the crest and beard and almost covering the eye and earlobe ; her fifth claws were well grown, distinct, and nicely curved ; neck arched, breast full and well developed, thighs short' and stout, and legs almost white; back broad and straight, tail not too large, and well carried. Such a bird is a standard of the breed and seldom seen. La Bresse. — This variety may be termed the Fat Poultry of France ; certainly they reach fabulous weights, although they do not attain great size. At four and a half months a chicken will weigh six pounds, and a capon eight and a half to nine pounds. They are a very ordinary-looking fowl, something similar in colour to the silver-pencilled Hamburgh, the bodies being white, clear in the cock, but moderately splashed in the hen, more particularly on the back — the splashing on many feathers bordering upon the pencilling — peculiar to the silver-pencilled hen. The tail of the cock is black laced with white, that of the hen splashed or badly pencilled. The comb is single, large in the cock, and falling over to one side in the hen; and the legs blue. The chicken are tolerably strong, and are put up to fatten shortly after leaving the mother hens. The flesh is white, fine, and tender, and much 21 52 FRENCH. esteemed for its flavour. The hens lay more eggs than Dorking, and rear as many chicken, bnt they are not good winter layers. The food most esteemed for fettening for market is buckwheat meal and Indian corn. The chief merit of the La Bresse appears to be its maturing early, fattening early, and being at once cleared off, finding a good market, as delicate plump chickens should do. The specimen from which the above description is taken (as also the Gueldres), we had the pleasure of examining in Paris: they are the property of a distinguished fancier, and are considered first- class specimens. La Fleohe are not so generally bred as the other French varieties, but are, nevertheless, a striking breed. In feather they are hard and of a brilliant metallic black; good specimens are large and tall, and the cocks weigh 91b. and hens 71b., but the generality weigh a pound less; they are long in the body and particularly long in the leg; the head is long and strange in appearance, 'there is an entire absence of crest and even comb on the top, the latter growing low down over the nostril as in the crfeve, it is two homed in shape and similar ia appearance to the comb of that variety; the fece is large, red, and very bare, earlobe rather large, and as white as possible, contrasting in a striking manner with the dense black plumage; the eye is large and vivacious ; wattles decidedly long, thin, and well rounded on the lower edge ; the beak is large and dark, the nostril bridged, and surmounted by a small lump or portion of the comb ; the back is very long, broad, and slanting to the tail, which starts up at almost right angles and is rather small but brilliant ; neck slightly curved, and hackle small but thick; breastwide and rather deep; wings large and firmly clipped ; thighs and legs long and stout, the latter clean, and either black or a slaty black in colour. The La Flfeche are majestic and noble in carriage, and have a strong and dig- nified appearance. The hen is a large bird, long and massive in body, and hard and brilliant in plumage ; her wattles are rather long and well rounded, earlobe large and white and well shaped, comb small and neat, two homed in shape, free from sprigs, and of a brilliant red, over the nostril is the same small knot as in the cock ; the hackle is moderately full, back long, and breast tolerably full and broad; the tail, which is of a medium size, is rather slanting, but not carried so low as is oflien seen in inferior specimens; the legs should be long and very stout, and the claws perfectly developed. For exhibition size is an important point, but we hope to see better earlobes than have lately been shown. 22' ^.^ BLACK-EED GAME COCKEEEL. p. ss. OAME AND GAME BANTAMS. 55 GAME AND GAME BANTAMS. Before describing the standard colours of Game fowls it is advisable to mention the points which are alike in each sub- variety, and quite in-espective of colour. In the cock style is perhaps most important : by style we mean the shape of the bird, and the carriage of the head, wings, and tail. The actual points required are long, narrow, neatly curved heads and necks, the hackle being close and scant; broad shoulders and chest; short wedge shaped bodies; fine slender sterns; rather short wings, carried well forward and close to the body; long straight legs, cleanly made and well set apart, the spur growing low down ; long toes, iirmly planted on the ground, the hind toe well developed and set flat on the ground, and not twisted sideways — which is called " duck footed." The tail must be carried tight, the feathers being close together and at a slight elevation, not up- right or drooping, as if spiritless, but presenting a hght, graceful appearance: it should be composed of short hard wiry feathers, each being as narrow as possible ; the sickle feathers should be long, narrow, and gracefully curved ; the comb and wattle should be cleanly dubbed, smooth, and entirely free from the slightest excrescence ; the eye should be quick, fearless, and bold ; face bare and slender; back broad at the shoulders and narrow over the saddle ; breast prominent and broad ; the thighs round — not flat as seen in some of our best birds — ^hard, and stout ; the general carriage should be upright, bold, and fearless. The hen is similar in feather and shape to the cock. Her comb should be single, very small and thin, a little higher behind, and perfectly erect ; earlobes particularly small and tight ; wattles very small, fine, and neatly shaped; wings rather long, strong, and carried well up; tail close together, the feathers narrow, and carried as in the cock ; the head, neck, legs, thighs, breast, and feet, are similar to the cock's ; in general shape the hen is fine and sharp, her flat back, close feather, long neck, and legs, have a particidarly gamey appearance not approached in any other breed. Black-Reds. — Cock : Face bright red ; eye vermilHon ; beak dark greenish horn colour; neck, hackle, and head, rich clear orange red, entirely free from black stripes ; back and wing-bow rich clear bright crimson, gradually shading into orange on the rump hackles, which should match the neck ; breast, thighs, and tail a bright blue black, free from any mixture of colour; wing-bar steel blue ; fli^t coverts clear rich bay ; legs and feet, wUlow or olive green.^?he illustration is a portrait of a cockerel wluch took first prize in its class at the Crystal Palace Show of 1872, and belongs to Mr. G. Baguall, of Draycott, Stafford, who says, " The black-breasted red cockerel I sent to the Crystal Palace Show (1872) was a very young bird ; he was hatched the latter end of April or beginning of May, and had scarcely got over his dubbing when I T 25 56 GAME AND GAME BANTAMS. sent him. It was the first time he had been shown. He came home very unwell, and continued so for some time, but as I had entered him for Birmingham I sent him as he was, and he then gained the fourth prize. At Manchester he again stood first on the list. These are the only times he has been shown. He is bred from a pair of pullets that I showed at Middleton in 1870, which gained the silver cup for the best pair of game pullets in the show, and he is got by a cock for which I gave 0. Chaloner £20, and which gained a silver cup for the best cockerel in the show, one of my own birds, brother to the pullets, winning second." Hen : Bright red comb, face, wattles, and earlobes ; eye, beak, legs, and feet, to match the cock's ; head and neck, gold and black, principally gold, each feather having a golden shaft and margin with narrow black stripes between; in other words, the hackle is striped black down the centre, the shaft being the same in colour as the margin; back, wings, and top outer tail feathers a light drab brown, very finely and uniformly pencilled with black, so as to appear at a Uttle distance as if only a shade darker; brown, yellowish, or rusty wings are objectionable; breast a rich salmon colour, the centre of each feather being one shade lighter ; belly ashy grey, tinged with salmon ; tail black. When the wings are expanded the colour should be uniform from one extremity to the other including the back. Brown-Beds. — Mr. Entwisle, a gentleman known as the highest authority and most successful breeder of Game Bantams, favours us with the following as a standard of this variety : " In the cock the face should be a dark purplish red ; eye the darkest brown; beak black; legs and feet dark bronze, dark willow, or black; neck hackle hght orange, striped with black towards the bottom; back and wing-bow rich orange red, shading lighter towards the saddle hackles, which should match the neck ; breast dark and evenly marked, each feather being dark , brown or black with a lighter brown shaft and margin ; shoulders greenish black ; wing-bars dark green ; flight coverts black ; tail greenish blact; ; thighs and underparts black, marked with brown like the breast. The hen should be a blackish purple in face, comb, wattles, and earlobes ; eye, beak, legs, and feet to match the cocks ; head and neck black, each feather slightly laced or edged with gold ; breast black, each feather very slightly edged with gold and having a golden shaft; remainder of plumage black or greenish black." The above colours are very l^dsome whether upon large Game or Bantams. We prefer the laced breast to either brown or streaky breasted birds, some fanciers, however, prefer the hackles redder and the back more of a crimson, but the orange and crimson reds are equally admissible, and are simply matters of taste. Of Duokwings Mr. Entwisle continues : " The cock should be like the black-breasted red in face, eye, beak, legs, and feet ; the head and neck hackle is a hght straw colour, quite free from 26 ^ GAME AND GAMl!) EANTAKS. 07 black ; back and Tring-bow a uniform, clear, rich gold or orange, gradually shading into light straw colour on the saddle hackles ; breast, shoulders, thighs, and tail, blue black; wing-bars steel blue ; flight coverts clear white. The silver duckwing cook has a clear white hackle, wing-bow, and back, and is otherwise like the above. The Duckwing hen matches the black-red hen in face, comb, wattles, earlobes, eye, beak, legs, and feet; her breast is light salmon, each feather being a shade lighter in the shaft ; neck and head 'sy^hite striped with black, the feathers being white in the centre and edges ; back, wing, and tail like the black-red hen, only substituting a light silvery grey ground for the drab brown. The silver duckwing hen is a shade whiter in the neck, Ughter in breast, and more silvery lustrous on the back, otherwise resemb- ling the duckwing hen." The majority of duckwing cocks now seen are darker in the hackles and a maroon colour on the back and shoulder coverts : either colour is very beautiful and legiti- mate. Piles. — In the cock the face is red; eye vermillion red; beak greenish yellow or white ; legs and feet light wiUow, yellow, or white ; head rich orange red ; neck-hackle orange or light chesnut i-ed, slightly striped with white at the bottom ; back and wing-bow rich clear crimson red, shading ofi to orange or chesnut red on the saddle; throat, breast, belly, thighs, shoulders, and tail, creamy white ; wing-bars white ; flights clear deep bay ; the pile hen matches the cock in head gear, legs, and feet ; her head and neck hackle should be white edged with gold ; back, wings, and tail, creamy white ; breast rich deep salmon, the centre of each feather being lighter ; thighs and belly white, slightly tinged with salmon ; on the wing-bow there is frequently a rich salmon shaft and edge to each feather, this is called the " rose " and is much admired by many fanciers. The above description, as also the description of black-reds, Mr. Entwisle considers to be thoroughly applicable to the present style of Bantams of these colours. Game Bantam fanciers may therefore estimate the whole of the remarks as peculiar to their own pets. There are many styles of pile coloured Game ; some fancy the marble breasted cocks, others prefer the hens of a mottled ches- nut and white, and of this latter variety many splendid specimens are shown in the Midland counties. White Game must be of a clear snowy colour, quite free from a straw tinge, legs yellow or white, head-gear bright red. Black Game are of a glossy black, quite free from colour, the hackles, wings, and tail of the cock having a brilliant metalUo hue ; legs dark olive, bronzed black, or black. Wheatens. — This term appUes to the hens only ; they are a useful bird and in great requisition for breeding black-reds : the cooks to match them are black-reds, duckwings, or piles. In the red wheaten hen the head and neck are golden yellow ; breast pale fawn or creamy white ; back and wings pale bus ; tail black, the 27 SB GAME ASB GAME BAIfTAMS. top outer feathers slightly edged with buff ; belly and thighs creamy white ; legs light wiUow. In the grey or daokwiag wheaten the hackle is white, sometimes shghtly striped with black, otherwise it resembles the red wheaten. In weight Game fowls for exhibition should be about 61b., not more, and the hens lib. or l^b. lighter; Game Bantam cocks should be from twenty-four to twenty-six ounces, and the hens eighteen to twenty ounces when in full condition, smaller birds are constantly shown, but they are inyariably short-legged andthiokei' in body. 2S w n M o EiUBimOHS. HAUBURGHS. 61 Silver-Spangled, or Silver Pheasant as it is commonly Btyled in Yorkshire, is a variety bred to a state of perfection which may well surprise an amateur smitten with the " fever." Lancashire fanciers bred them for many years previous to the existence of exhibitions, but the cooks were hen-tailed, and failed to please the judges on their appearance at Birmingham, when they were at once stamped out. These cooks were henceforward used for breeding only, and an amalgamation with the Yorkshire birds produced the handsome specimens now exhibited. The smutty hen-tail of the Lancashire cock, and his red earlobe and coarse comb, were replaced by the full clear tail, white earlobe, and neat comb of the Yorkshire bird ; whereas, the grand spangling and colour of the Lancashire breed was retained. Being birds of feather, the ground of the plumage should be a clear white, free from any tinge of colour, sjjangled with metallic satin-like moons as round in shape as possible. These spangles should be boldly disposed from the throat to the thighs and fluff in the Gock; the proportions of white and black being about equal. The wing bars, which should be bold, even, and regular, constitute a great point in the bird. The hackle, shoulder, back, and saddle should be a silvery white, spotted with black, and the wing secondaries be boldly spangled at the ends. The taO, which should be perfectly clear, i.e., free from splashes or markings of any kind, more particularly in the sickle feathers, must be boldly pp^ngled at the tips. The earlobes should be very round, smooth, and brilliantly white. Comb small, neat, firmly set on the head, square in front, coral like, the points close and even, and ending in a pike slightly inclining upwards. Pace red (white a dis- qualification). Legs blue. The hen should be grandly spangled throughout with large even round moons, the black and white being evenly proportioned. The black should be a metallic colour, the dead heavy black often seen being much condemned. The neck should be well spotted from the head. Wings evenly spangled, and the bars well defined. Comb as in the cock, but very small ; in fact, the smaller the better. JJarlobes and legs as in the cock. The tail of the hen, Uke the cook, should be a clear white, the feathers ending in a distinct black spangle. In perfect specimens the coverts have a pretty effect, being also clear white and spangled at the tips, which are evenly disposed on the white ground of the fan. . Oolden-Spangled. — ^These handsome birds are similar in comb, earlobe, shape, leg, and principal markings to the Silver-Spangled, the colour only being different; the hackle, however, of both cock and hen, and the saddle of the cock, is distinctly striped with rich green black. In colour, the back and shoulders is generally described as a rich redctsh bay, the saddle and hackle a rich golden bay, the 'breast, thighs, and under parts a clear golden t2 31,; €2 EAUBUBGES. bay, and tail a rich green black. The spangling should, if possible, exceed the SUvers m its metallic lustre, which is brilliant and satin-like. The bar of the wing is a deep golden bay, well and evenly spangled, the wing coverts being a httle lighter, the spangles forming two well-developed bars. The primaries also end in a rich spangle. In all Spangled Hambnrghs mossing and lacing should be avoided, as should also imperfect bars on the wing. Golden-Pencilled. — ^Pencilled Hambnrghs, although a totally distinct race from the Spangled birds, are similar in general shape and fwrnitwre. .Although the Golden-Pencil does not require great skill in matching, or the separate breeding pens required by other Hamburghs, it is by no means easy to obtEun the desired richness of colour, which should be a deep red bay in the cock, and a beautiful golden bay in the hen. The cook is a strikingly handsome bird, his rich velvety colour contrasting favourably with any other variety. The hackle is not usually so deep a tint as the remaiuder of the plumage, but is exceedingly rich. The inside web of the flight feathers is black, and of the secondaries striped across with black, each feather terminating in a black spot. The tail, though seldom perfect, is often marvel- lously laced with bay, the black and bronze tails being quite put in the shade by laced specimens shown by Mr. Beldon and others. In the hen the hackle is a deep golden bay, perfectly clear, and falling .evenly over the pencilling on the back, wluch is of a similar ground colour, each feather being distinctly striped or pencilled across to the tip of the tail with rich black, free from either mossing or shading, the black and bay being distinct, uniform, and sharp. Much difiSculty is encountered in producing hens well pencilled on the tail and breast, the value of good specimens being accordingly very considerable. Silver-Pencilled Hamburghs are similar in all respects to the Golden except in colour, the bay being substituted by a clear silvery white, entirely free from any tiuge of chesnut or yellow. The sickle feathers are laced with white as in the Golden, and the same standard applies to both varieties. The colour and tail come first in judging, the comb and earlobe following ; but it should be understood that a single or loose comb or red earlobes would entirely disqualify. Hens being often shown together should match in comb, size, and colour, or their merits, however great, will fail to place them in the prize list. _ Slack Hamburghs differ only in colour. The plumage is a rich metallic black, with a visible green black spangle on the end of each feather, giving the bird a rich velvety appearance. This variety is usually larger in size than its more showy brethren. 32 FOIAUDS. 63 FOLANDS. These handsome and, under certain conditions, profitable Urds are among the most attractive and striking in the poultry yard, and are principally esteemed for the size and shape of the crest, which should be as large as possible, close, well filled with feathers, inclining backwards, bushy, composed of hackle feathers in the cook, and even and globular in the hen. The head is peculiar in shape, a spherical protuberance, being part of the skull, is disposed on the top ; this falls away sharply at the back, producing an indentation which can harmy be credited. The earlobe is large in the cock and small in the hen, well rounded, and a pure white in the white crested variety, which are also furnished with long fine pendulous wattles. The spangled birds, however, in place of this general appendage, are provided with a full thick beard or muff, which may be either black or spangled, a decided preference being given to the spangled ; it should start from the beak, running well back on either side, and be well rounded. The breast is particularly prominent, deep, and carried well forward; this feature, combined with the striking carriage and beautifully arched neck, gives the bird a somewhat strutting appearance. The hackle is full, and flowing well on to the back, which is broad and slightly declining towards the tail. The wings are large, and carried well up to tho body. In the Spangled varieties the tail is either bay or silver, each feather terminating in a rich metallic black spangle. Some fanciers do not object to a little mossing, but in close competition it is needless to say which is requisite ; it is large, flowing, and abundantly furnished with side feathers. The legs are clear, flne, rather long, and blue in the spangled birds.- In the white-crested, a darker blue or black is permissible. AU Folands are smart, brisk, active birds, and erect and noble in carriage. It may be noticed that, although their combs are not developed, they may be traced, however small, of the two homed character. White-Crested Polands are decidedly the most attractive of the crested race. The crest of the cock, unfortunately, is prone to become yellow, a fault apparently inherent in all white male birds. It should, nevertheless, be as white as possible, and, although, perhaps, as a rule, it is not so large round as in the spangled birds, it is decidedly f uUer in the centre. Both cook and hen are adorned with a tuft of black feathers growing in front of the crest ; if not in large quantities, these feathers are not dis- countenanced, they evidently being an attribute of the variety. The whole of the remaining plumage should be a rich lustrous black, without a shade of rustiness or white, which, however, may often be found in the primaries. (See p. 67.) Black Polands are plump birds, the cocks weighing from five to six and a half pounds, the hen a pound less. Silver-Spangled Folands are larger than the preceding, and, 33 64 rOLAITDS — ^UALATS. as a rule, weigh about a pound more. The grcMnd colour is a plear sflvery white, and the marHngs an intense iridescent black. The crest of the cook, which is usually hoUow in the centie, and hanging in abundance over the head, is tipped with' black at the end of each feather. The hackle and saddle we prefer to see well striped with black, the stripe being bold, sharp, and running down the centre of the feather. Many good birds are, however, shown in which these feathers are laced, the ends being tipped with black. Again, the general plumage may be either laced or spangled ; the best birds now exhibited are spangled,^ with full regularly-shaped moons, the wing coverts only being laced. It is most important that the crest, shoulder, back, and' breast of the hen, and the breast a£ the cock, should be evenhr: and boldly spangled. In first-class birds the marking extendi' to the thighs and beard. The wing coverts, which in addition to their lacing are spangled at the tips, form a handsome bar, which should be as distinct as possible. The primaries are usually spangled at the tips, and the secondaries marked with a crescent at the end of each feather. Golden-Spangled.^-It is necessary only to describe the colour of this sub-variety, the marking and characteristics being other-, wise identical with the Silvers. It is usually termed a golden, bay, but we think this hardly conveys an adequate idea of the richness and beauty of the colour; it must, however, be confessed; that the narrow confines of our .language do not permit the- employment of a more significant term. The colour of the breast should be even and clear ; the back, hackle, saddle, shoulder, and tail being particularly rich. Tte crest and wing bar are rather bright in colour, whereas th? thighs and primaries are dull in. comparison with the remainder Qf th^ plumage. UALATS. Malays, or, as they are sometimes,' but improperly, called, Indian Game, are the giants of the poultry yard, and were at one time, happily long past, much used for imparting size to common fowls. They, however, famish coarse meat, with a brownish yellow' tinge, and are not by any means a fit cross for the table.' The! cocks weigh ten and eleven pounds, and stand nearly three feelj high ; the hens weigh from two to three pounds less. The figure is. gaunt and upright, the wuigs close and hard, thick across th^ i^houlders, and long and strong in the thigh and leg. The teil droops, and is smaU, glossy, a,nd of a beautiful metallic black. Theja^ ^ sjtjakQ-lik^, and rather flat on the top, giving a fulnes^ td'tiieeye^ Th^ &ce is ndked and cniei in appearance, the eye red, o4- BANIAUS. 65 bold, and savage, and the beak very strong and curved. The comb is small, thiok, and close to the head, haviaz a firm but warty appearanoe. In feather Malays are loose and weedy, and not — as persistently described — close and firm. In this point they will bear no comparison with true Game, any more than they will on the score of courage. On account of their size they presume with smaller birds, and are cruel in tixQ extreme to a beaten or unequal antagonist ; but if faced boldly by a plucky Game stag, they generally, and at once, boat a retreat. Some strains of Game have mistakenly been crossed by Malays for size and courage, but although size, and consequent coarseness, has been obtained, the importation of courage has always been a failure. The general colour is somewhat of a black or brown-breasted red, the breast being slightly marbled. The hackle is a dark red, and is thinly feathered ; the wing a red maroon, the coverts forming a distinct wide metallic bar; legs yellow and clean. The bens are of a chesnut brown or cinnamon. The slightness of wattle and ear- lobe is remarkable in this breed. The White variety differs only in the colour of the plumage. Malays are not so well calculated for exhibition as any other variety, looking much better in a smaU. yard or rvm, where they can be easily and advantageously kept ; they have, however, one serious (disadvantage, their quarrelsome nature often causing them when in confinement to mutilate each other in a distressing manner. They are certainly hardy, although not particularly so. The chickens fledge late, which is a great drawDack to their attaining size and shape. It is well to let them have a constant supply of food and water, or they become exceed- ingly irritable and quarrelsome. Indian com and barley meal form the best staple food, meat being always avoided ; plenty of green food is also a desideratum. The hens are steady sitters, but permit no handling. The eggs of the Malay are rich, long, and mostly dark in colour, but sometimes vary considerably both in size and shade. BAm?AIES. Pekin or Cochin. — ^This qnaint little fowl was first brought into notice in England at the Cijstal Palace Show of 1862, and were, we beUeve,' exhibited by Mr. E. Kerrick, of Dorking, who has retained the breed in its purity u^ to the present time. It is very difficult to rear, as may oe ima^ied from the fact that a single Eair were the progenitors of the iJnglish stock. Mr. Kerrick has, owever, been successful in rearing them, although other gentle- men have been compelled to introduce a cross which, however it may have improved the stamina of the chicks, has detracted from their beauty, the shanks and taU being longer, the hackles • 35 66 EANTAHS. spotted, and the general shape inferior to that of "the true Pekm, which should be as identical with the Cochin as possible. Mr. Beldon, who has bred and exhibited them with great success, says that they breed as true as sparrows, but are difficult to rear; .he advises the hatching to be deferred until May, as they require plenty of sunshine. " The chicks should be fed often upon chopped egg mixed with bread crumbs, gradually introducing a little oatmeal until stiff oatmeal or the meal mixed with thirds forms the staple food in common with a little grain. Although the chicks require a little pampering, they fledge rapidly at eight to ten weeks, and look exceedingly pretty. The cockerels, however, are somewhat scanty of feather in their first year, and do not furnish completely until the second. For breeding, Mr. Beldon prefers one year old birds. It may not be generally known that the original type of this breed are said to have been taken from the Palace of Pekin during the storming. The cocks weigh from sixteen to eighteen ounces, and the hens fourteen to sixteen ounces. The legs should be short and well feathered, and may be either willow or yellow. The feathers should be an even buffi throughout. Sebright. — This famous and popular variety does not increase in numbers, doubtless owing to the inability of its numerous admirers to breed it. At present its production is confined to Bev. G. F. Hodson and Messrs. Leno and Frew, and at most one or two others. Mr. Hodson has bred them for upwards of thirty years, and during that period many wonderful specimens have issued from his yard. The colours are Silver and Golden. The latter variety are brought to greater perfection, and should be, but seldom are, a rich 'golden yellow throughout, the Silvers being a clear silvery white, and not, as are often exhibited, a yellowish or buffi-like white. The cook weighs from twenty-two to twenty- eight ounces, and the hen about four or five ounces less. The comb is rose, square in front, red, even, firm, and well piked ; wattles red, well rounded, short and broad; eye broad and fearless; earlobe flat, round and white — ^if stained a little it is no disquali- fication; neck hen-feathered, as the cock is throughout, well thrown back, and the breast being carried very forward, giving the bird a very jaunty, conceited appearance, especially when, as he is accustomed, he stmts on tiptoe ; the wings are tolerably large, carried very low, as in the Sultan, almost trailing on the ground. The back is particularly short, the saddle being quite free from the customary male feathers; tail carried square, hen- feathered, excepting the two ordinary sickles, which exceed the others in length by half an inch ; legs, slender and blue. The hen resembles the cook in all respects, excepting that her headgear is much smaller, and her head not bo coarse. The plumage of all Sebrights is laced throughout (s«e feather in Part I.) with a deep glossy black, the lacing being even, distiiict, and Bhaip, free from, blotches or shading. 36 ax P iz; < o o H S ^ ft 02 O H i-i M AMERICAN FOWLS QQ Black Bantams ave n fashionable, attractive, and increasing variety, and in all but colour, earlobe, and colour of leg, resemble the white Bantam, which has a spotless white plumcbge, red ear- lobe, and white leg; the Blacks being distinguished by their brilUant lustrous black plumage, black or dark leaden-coloured legs, and striking white earlobe — the most prominent point in the variety. These Bantams have a neat little rose comb, red, square in front, with a good pike, and set firmly on their small round neat heads ; the wattles are broad, short, and thin ; neck ■well thrown back, and covered with a flowing hackle, fUling well over the back, which is very short. The breast is full, and carried weU forward, giving the bird a proud, strutting appearance. The tail is full, large, grandly sickled, and carried rather erect ; wings large, hanging loose, but not touching the ground ; legs rather short, fine, and clean. Bose-combed Bantams are very attractive,' and have numerous admirers. For success, the bird should be very small, a good colour, with good carriage and earlobe, and a ueat comb. White Feather-legged Bantams are now more numerously kept, but, from their poor appearance, are not likely to become a popular fancy. They are vulture-hocked, more square in shape than the ordinary White, have both single and rose combs, and red earlobes. Japanese Bantams are a grotesque (not to say, handsome) variety; the short deep body, large comb, and flowing tail, giving it a somewhat absurd appearance. In colour they are either a pure white, with black tails laced with white, or grey throughout. Some have even been shown with a cuckoo-marking. In carriage they are very erect; the breast is carried prominently forward; tail Very large and very erect. The comb is red, single, evenly serrated, and as large as a Cochin's ; earlobe and wattles large and red ; neck short and thick ; back short and broad ; wings long, and well carried ; legs short and yellow, and body deep. The cocks seldom weigh more than twenty-eight ounces, and hens twenty-two. There have been one or two varieties of Bantams exhibited, but until they are bred to colour and shape, or have some defined existence as separate and distinct races or breeds, it would only confuse to attempt their description. ASCEBICAN FOWLS. Iieghorns.— These striking birds are becoming popular in England, although there is not the rage for them that appears, prevalent in America. The white a.re certainly the handsomest,, the colour of the brown variety being apparently unsuited to their pec^liE^r shape and style. ,Thjs latter colour was introduced ■ " "' '39. ■■ 70 AMEEICAN FOWLS, by Mr. L. Wright and ourselves, from the yard of Mr. A. M. Halstead, of New York. The stories which ciroalated in the States respecting their wonderful powers, and the absurd rage which the fanciers have raised, caused us to see and judge for ourselves. In the American papers the variety figures conspicuously ; and we really wonder that the bad woodcuts, which are supposed to re- present some of the wonderful birds, do not disgust fanciers, and have the very opposite effect to that which is intended. We hear of black and Dominique Leghorns, but they have not yet been seen in this country ; indeed, we think British fanciers wiU be more cautious in future in running after the manufactures of their go-a-head cousins. The white birds are freely bred here now, and the browns are becoming more popular; the only birds, however, which have as yet taken a prize having, with the Plymouth Bock, been bred by ourselves; but in every case in which the coloured birds compete with the white they are compelled to lower their colours. We suggested the firsb class for American fowls ever opened by a committee, when some first-rate white birds were shown. These were very superior in earlobe to the brown; but we were nevertheless disappointed in this particular point, the lobe, instead of being similar in colour and tezture to that of the Hamburgh, was actually yellow. The Leghorn cook should be an upright and sprightly bird, standing and carrying his tail very erect. The comb is large, single, brilliantly red, firm, and grown well back ; head short; wattles long, pendant even, and very red; earlobes smooth, slightly pendant ; and a clean opaque white eye, large and quick ; neck long, gracefully curved ; the hackle full and flowing ; back very short,. the tail starting up almost at the base of the hackle; saddle rather broad, the foather plentiful; breast "full, carried well forward " ; wings well clipped up, and not too large ; tail large, and plentifully adorned with side sickles ; legs a bril- liant yellow, and rather long and slender. In white cocks the hackle and saddle incline to the unpleasant straw colour; this should be avoided as far as possible. Lop combs, stained ears, and blue or white legs are disqualifications. The hen is a deeper bird, rather square in body, with full round chest, close plumage, large and very erect tail. The comb is large and red, and falls over to one side ; face red, earlobes white, smooth, and free from folds ; wattles rather short, round and thin, neck long ; wings well tucked ; and legs rather long, slender, and yellow, to match the cocks. Her comb must not be upright (i.e., prick-combed), although in the moult many hens are thus temporarily adorned. Brown Leghorns approach in colour in both sexes dull coloured black-red game fowls. In the cock the hackle and saddle are of a dull gamey red brown, the tail a lustrous black; breast and thighs black, and legs yellow. The hens, ezbepting in comb and shape, very much resemble the black-red game hens. The gene- ral body colour is very similar ;' the breast a deep dull salmon, 40 AMEEICAU JOWLS. 71 shading off to an ashy broym, towards the thighs. We have bred several smart chickens, all of which were particularly trae in feather and fancy points. They are very precocious growers, hardy in the extreme— splendid layers of very large white eggs — indeed, in this respect, they have no superiors, if any equals ; they are not great eaters, and this fact, together with their productive- ness, may account for their not putting on flesh for the table. At any rate. Leghorns are invaluable to the egg-farmers, and wo recommend them strongly. Plymouth Rocks. — This variety is considered the most useful in America, combining strength of constitution, whiteness and delicacy of flesh, with beauty of plumage and a rare laying pro- pensity. We received flattering drawings and descriptions from many of the leading fanciers in America, including Mr. Philander Williams, Mr. H. H. Stoddard, and Mr. A. M. Halstead; and in consequence imported a fine cockerel and two pullets, in order to test their merits, and place them before the public in this country. They were the first seen in England, and are the only birds of the variety which have been awarded prizes. We were in every sense pleased with them ; they laid throughout the winter even when Brahmas failed. They are the hardiest fowls we ever knew — very docile — as much so as the Cochin, and make splendid table fowls. We bred a few, but, although the pullets were very true, the cockerel (only one) borrowed most of his plumage from some remote ancestor, probably one of Mr. Tegetmeier's Wild Indians.' The hens are good sitters and mothers, and lay a fair-sized yellow egg. In plumage they resemble the Ouokoo Dorking and Domi- nique; the ground is a dark blue or steel, the feathers being crossed or shaded with a darker colour or slate ; the more even and well defined the colour and marking throughout the better. Comb single, but not large ; wattles moderate in size, and well rounded; neck not too long, and curved back, very broad ; breast deep and broad ; wings moderate and well clipped up ; tail very large, full, and well carried ; legs clean, stout, .short, and a bright yellow; toes, four in number. The birds are massive,' noble, square, and compact; the cocks weighing ten pounds, and the hens seven to eight. Plymouth Eocksare a manufacture, but, skilfully bred, they exhibit every, characteristic of a good fowl- It is said that they were produced from Cochins, Dorkings, and Malays. (See p. 73.) , , , ])omini the universal laws oC ^ nature. By constant use of an article' the system becomes thoroughly insensible to it, and ceases to exert that action which is generally the result of an occasional introduction of stimulant. Of the efficacy of the occasional use of these foods we have had ample proof; the-, testimony of many well-known breeders, and our own experi- ments with Dear's food, fidly bears out the above remarks- Some breeders are in the habit of compounding mixtures them- selves. We have several recipes, but a resemblance exists among-; 9 rio. i. '90 REAEING AND FEEDING. 4ill — ^those pnblislied in various works and those nnpublished being in every way similar, and nothing more nor less than concoctions of well-known stimulating spices, which the in- telligence of any reader will at once present to the mind. As the chicks grow they wiU. require feeding less constantly, -and at three months the cockerels should be separated from the pullets, as they generally prove tigers at feeding time. At this period early morning feeding is very desirable ; if a meal is given :at six o'clock consisting of meal mixed warm, it will be found to famish admirable results. The dough should be scattered far and wide, and the birds made to run for it. We prefer to see a flock of twenty young birds together, and allowed ample run on grass; clean water or milk, plenty of green food, a dry clean roost, and four feeds a day up to five or six months, will now be ■ample, and such a vocabulary must ensure success. At ten they may have a feed of house scraps if limited in number, otherwise barley, buckwheat, or Indian corn ; again, at three, meal may be ;given plentifully, care being taken to give no more than is readily •eaten ; and, lastly, at seven to eight, a good meal of com. Fowls, such as Bantams, (rame, and Hamburghs, which are not reared for size, must be fed in a more exclusive manner ; instead of new milk, skim or scald nulk should be given. Indian corn and buck- wheat should give place entirely to wheat and barley, principally •the former. Barley meal and ground oats may be occasionally used only, except for Hamburghs, and oatmeal made the staple. Game fowls require great strength and hardness of flesh, con- ^sequently fattening foods should give place to flesh formers as the •chicks' grow up. The principal flesh forming, or nitrogenous foods containing the least amount of fat are beans, peas, wheat, 'barley, oatmeal, middlings, and oats. Buckwheat and Indian •com, although almost equivalent to the latter in nitrogen, con- tain considerably more &t and starch. Bice and potatoes are almost equivalent as flesh formers, containing only about 7 per cent., hence their comparative worthlessness when used alone. The great bulk of their composition, minus the water, is starch, which is simply fat in a stage of formation. As a rule we do not advise feeders, but for such food as grains, house scraps, chopped liver, and other sofb delicacies, a deep stone ■dish may be used ; it should be heavy, steep sided, and one which ■the birds will not be likely to turn over. A similar dish of smaller size will answer very well for water, especially if a galvanised frame is made to cover and prevent it being filled with ■dirt; the cover should be about four inches above the ridge, and supported by small iron supports, between which the fowls can •drink. In preparing fowls for exhibition, sheep's pluck well boiled, and given daily in moderation, together ■with buckwheat and ground oats as staple foods, and ■water rendered brackish by a little ^ute sulphate of iron, will be found to have the efEeet of 10 HOUDAN COCK (p. 51). HODSBS AND HUNS. 93 brightening the comb and plumage, and making the birds display that verve and dash which is generally looked for and found in a vigorous cup winner. Before concluding these remarks upon rearing, we would impress upon all breeders the necessity of sound feeding of large chicken ; they are often neglected at the ugly, but critical, period ■of their lives for their little and more attractive brethren. Whether they are allowed to roost on a perch or on the ground is a matter for individual consideration, but for large breeds v,-e think that the ground is much to be preferred. HOUSES AND BTTNS. The taste, ability, and means of amateurs have so mucli influence upon their poultry structures that we shall hardly be blamed if we do not endeavour to meet the desires of all. We have seen houses which were simply expensive complications, apparently devised by an ingenious carpenter to bafBe the fowls -and disappoint the owners. Others, again, notably those of Mr. •Cheshire, designed, and we believe constructed, by himself, com- bine extreme elegance, lightness, and strength, with general utility. There is a third class of house which, from its simplicity, ■cheapness, and the ease with which it may be constructed, finds favour with a large number of fanciers who are either not able to expend a large amount in building, or who are themselves " handy with the tools." The last style is generally a lean-to, and built on the face of a high brick wall having a southern or western aspect. The dimensions, which admit of variation to suit different localities, or the number of fowls required as occupants, are as follows : Height at back, 7ft. ; front, 5ft. — allowing a fall of 2ffc. to •carry off the wet — depth, about 6ft. ; length, 10ft. If this is xiivided off it will form two houses of 6ft. by 5ft., sufficient for a cook and five or six hens. Doors, hinged to the centre of the division, one for each compartment, should be made in the front, a little window being cut in the centre of each, and fitted with ordinary galvanized wire : they will relieve the plain appearance, and assist ventilation. The timber may be feather-edged board, lapped throughout, and tarred to within a foot of the ground. The roof should be felted and tarred. A perch should run across, about IJft. to 2ft. from the wall, and the nest boxes may be placed upon the ground in a row next to the wall. If the floor is com- posed of beaten earth or clay, and a foot of the fine dust mixture previously advised is laid over this, we think the house will be found to answer every purpose. With regard to the runs : they may be carried the entire length ■of the wall on either side of the house, and should be 16ft. deep at 13 94 HOUSES AND BUNS. the least, i.e., the wire fence should be fixed lOffc. from the doors ; and if a division in the run is continued from the house between the two doors to the fence, it will be found desirable if the gates are built on either side in the same way. A gravel path may lead from the gates to the houses, and grass may be carried through the whole length of the run or share the space with gravel; or, what some amateurs prefer, one half the run may be regularly dug Fie. 5. for the fowls to exercise their scratching powers, and add to their somewhat limited diversions. When the amateur is able to command an unlimited space for his poultry, it is often useful to have a moveable poultry house. Fig. 5 represents what an esteemed correspondent has recom- mended : No. 1 is a side view of the house and run ; No. 2 the front, showing the shding door and ventilator; No. 3, back view; No. ,4, a section across the centre ; a, the nest box ; b, the lim& U HOUSES AKD BUNS. 95. box or bath ; c, the water trough — ^an Australian meat tin out in half and fastened to the floor is recommended ; d shows the- perches. The house has no bottom. No. 5 shows the ground plan ; a, nest ; h, bath ; o, water ; e, a box for corn ; d d, perches, -4 /"T— -x S.FT- ». which are about 18in. from the- — '~^ '~^ 1\ ground. The house is, as will I be seen, 4ft. long, 3ft. wide, 3ft. j high to the eaves, and 1ft. 6in. I from eaves to ridge. It is built ill of rough timber, and the roof" ^ covered with felt, and well ] tarred. The water tin and D» I I com box are filled night and , y \ I morning, or at the will of the- ^ r \ m \ i owner. If the house and run I is moved once daily to fresh I ground, it will be found that I the birds will thrive and enjoy j their travelling caravan. Fig. ft I represents the ground plan of [ a single fowl house, as recom- I mended by a correspondent of ] The Baxaar. It is simple, oon- I venient, and easily constructed.. £ The houses, I and J, are built kl of feather-edged board, felted q and tarred, and leaning against I a wall, D being the open run^ I A A A, doors 18in. wide, B, I wire door, to be closed during- I the day, when the other door I should be open ; D may be- I gravelled, or if extended, grass I would be more advantageous ; I E, dust bath ; G-, a false shelf,. [ 2ft. wide, and 24in. from the- j floor — this should be regularly '■ scraped, sanded, and dustedl ■with hme, or sprinkled with, dilute carbolic acid ; H, perches made of split pine, 4in. in diameter, the round side being placed! -ippermost— they should be about 6in. above the helves; I, feeding and litting compartments ; r, roosting and laying House ; L, entrance l^'o-BA. for fowls. Under the shelves, which had better be moveable, are the laying boxes, open 1& ria. 6. 96 DOUSES AND KUNS. .at the top and bottom, and half way down the front. The sketch, 'Fig. 6a, will explain the construction. The handles are to enable ithe attendant to draw them out when necessary. Each box is 1ft. wide, 1ft. 6iD. high, and 1ft. 6in. from front to back. The 'floor may be made of the following composition, viz., hot lime, -smiths' ashes, and sand, beaten flat whilst moist. For the benefit of those readers who are admirers of the -several varieties of the Bantam tribe, we annex the follow- ing sketches, which are from the designs of a well-known Jno. 7. -successful Bantam fancier. Fig. 7 represents the front of the houses ; A is a sliding door, to allow the birds a run in the garden for an hour or two in turn every day; B is the front 'door, top half made of galvanized wire netting ; * door studs ; 'C, brickwork, ■4^in. thick ; D, iron troughing, or corrugated -galvanized iron. Fig. 8 is the back, showing at B the doors ■for admission into the houses to collect eggs, clean, &c. i'ig. 9 shows the ground plan. At the spaces F openings Tia. 8. should be left in the brickwork 18in. high, to which are affixed sUding doors similar to those shown in Fig. 7. These are opened and shut by a pulley or string carried down the inside of the roof and through the front wire, of course being guided by the tem- perature as to when and how they should be opened. G, the front part of each partition, is brick to 2ft. 4Jin. high, the remainder being wire netting. H, the walls of the back compart- Tuents.are bricked to the roof, which is covered with tiles. As thia 16 HOUSES AND EUNS. 37 inner " retreat " should be as cool in summer and warm in winter as possible, tiles will be found to answer this double pur- pose better than any other material. Fig. 10 shows a skeleton section, from which the dimensions may be easily obtained. Several of the more delicate varieties suffer materially during the winter from the severity of the frost, not only Bantams, but Spanish, La FlSche, Hamburghs, Polish, Cr&vecoeurs, and even I M iS jliltltliP'IJ g F Dgi DH nw im i jiiiiii Bllffi Fio. 9. Game. It is, therefore, often necessary to heat the houses artificially. For this purpose nothing can be better than a small portable stove, similar to that shown on Fig. 11 ; it may be hung from a beam or rafter of the house, and within 18in. of the floor. It will be perfectly safe, and influence the birds' health in a palpable manner. A is the stove, B is a food warmer, which may be hung on at night, thus providing a hot meal for the birdu, scai-iL OF- FEET whi( h, upon a cold winter's morn- ing, will be both a relish and a stimulant. In the erection of all houses great care should be taken to exclude or prevent draught, more especially near the perches. Ventilation is necessary and conducive to health, but many valuable birds are attacked with roup, which is simply caused by roosting in a draughty house. It is also advisable to make some ■ provisionfor the reception of thieves. This class of individual, so far as he is concerned with the hen roost, is happily diminishing, but it is well to be prepared. To be forewarned is to be forearmed ; and by an ingenious contrivance which very recently informed the inventor, a well-known Light Brahma fancier, that unwelcome visitors were paying a moonlight visit to his poultry dominions, the thieves not only left his premises with less ceremony than they entered, but, by the report occasioned by their cupidity, c 17 Fja. 10. 98 GENERAL MANAGEMENT. they were captured in a neighbour's fowl-house, and conducted to more comfortable, if less desirable, quarters by the guardians of the peace. The warning conveyed is by means of a detonating ball. Inside the house, and running down by the side of the door jamb, is a long barrel or funnel, at the top of which is suspended a heavy clock weight; this is attached by a string to the door in such a manner that when the latter is opened it Fis. 11. becomes disengaged, falls down the barrel on to the detonating ball, which is placed on a stone at the bottom, and a loud report follows; this scares the thief, and alarms the inmates of the house. The string is set from the outside of the house, and to prevent exposure the door is made with the battens outside, the string or connection with the weight being concealed under one of these. 6EITERAI. IffAITAGEMEITT. In a yard of exhibition poultry so many troubles crop up, and BO much labour has to be continually performed that, although the eye of the professed poultry man or the accomplished fancier wiU instantly detect each grievance and provide for its removal, it may not be superfluous to make a few remarks for the benefit of others upon those stray duties which culminate in the exhibi- tion pen. To commence with the laying hen. It will occasionally be found that one or more matrons are fond of a dainty meal, and eat their eggs. Many methods have been suggested to allay this propensity, but from varied experience and much inquiry we can safely recommend but one method. Eggs blown and filled with 18 BBOWN BED GAME HEN. " Beeswing." GENERAL MANAOEMENT. 101 nasty ooQoootions no doubt sometimes act as chocks to the bird, but are surely not absolute preventives to an inveterate cannibal hen ; the taste she has acquired will brave all " bitterness," ?ind scorn the action of cayenne. It will be found far the most profitable and least troublesome course to provide a nest with a false bottom. It should be made with a hole in the middle large enough for the eggs to fall through, and the false bottom sloping all round to the hole, similar to the old-fashioned " wells " which are usually placed under a bottle-jack. Instead of hay or straw, it will be found advisable to pad the false bottom, when the egg will roll softly through the hole on to the hay placed beneath. It sometimes happens that the eggs under a sitting hen are carried off by rats. There are many elaborate mechanical con- trivances for the reception and safe detention of these ugly gentle- men, but we pin little faith to anything but a ratcatcher or poison. If, therefore, a small piece of wood is rubbed with oil of valerian, and a small piece of meat well dressed with Battle's Vermin Killer is fastened to it with a small nail, and placed in a rat run where the hen cannot get at it, it wUl invariably be found to answer every expectation. This subject naturally leads to cats. We do not look upon this member of the feline race as absolute vermin, but as a, domestic thief full of wary cunning, and seldom to be trusted. Pussy is a far greater nuisance than the dog, and we commend the endeavours of those who keep down as far as possible the superabundant kittens and prowling Toms. Cats are extremely cautious, and traps to catch them are seldom successful. We had a friend who grew almost grey under their terrible influence, taking numbers of well-grown Brahma chicks from under his very eyes. At last nature turned, and by the aid of an air-gun he exterminated them, no doubt much to the chagrin of his neighbours. We have, during the past season, been terribly tried by the cats. Of a brood of eight very fine and, of course rare. Brown Leghorns, we have two remaining. There appeared to be several Richmonds in the field, for after despatching two marauders, and still not he, a third appeared, although each was distinctly sworn to as the thief. The oil of valerian and poisoned meat, prepared as for the rats, may be safely recommended ; care should be taken to deposit the poison in little slits cut in the side of the meat, and fasten the wood firmly to the ground, so that in tearing it off the poison is sure to be taken. The wood and any remaining meat should, of course, be taken away before the birds are set at liberty the next morning, if it should have been set within their haunts. It is a good plan to plant shrubs in the runs ; they are very acceptable to the birds as shades from both sun and rain, and, moreover, add greatly to its appearance. Some fanciers, with limited space, set apart a portion of the run about April, and plant it with a large variety of cabbage. When the chicks are from three to five months old, they may then be let into the " cabbage garden," in turn, with great advantage. 21 102 SENEBAL MANAGEMENT. Before making the breeding pens up it id advisable to have a general cleaning, when the insides of the houses should be white- washed with a good mixture prepared by bricklayers, and termed in some localities " bricklayer's putty." It is a mixture of lime, size, &c., dries very white, destroys all vermin, and does not rub ofB. The nest boxes, roosts, coops, and pens may be freely cleansed with this composition, and wUl well repay for the trouble by their nice appearance and healthy tone. It is also wise to pare the floors of the houses and most frequented runs to a sufBcient depth, and after sprinkling the substratum with lime, to cover it again with the material which may be decided upon. Where a shed or out-building is at hand, it will be necessary for a fancier who determines to exhibit, to erect a few pens, for the purpose of testing the merits and curbing the wildness of birds. They are best arranged about from three to four feet from the ground, and may vary in size according to the variety kept. A wire front is, of course, desirable. With soft food, grass, small gravel or sand, and water, the birds may be kept in a healthy con- dition for weeks. If a large stock is kept, and the space can be allotted, it wiU be well to isolate a portion of the building as a hospital. Many causes introduce disease into the healthiest yards, and if the specimen attacked is valuable, isolation can alone prevent its spread. Therefore, it is well to be prepared for any emergency where a valuable flock of birds are at stake\ When the amateur determines to exhibit, he should send to the various secretaries for their schedules of prizes, and after a careful perusal select the exhibition which offers him the surest advantage. If he can make up one good pen, a cockerel and pullet, it will be safer policy than to enter two moderate ones. Too much should not be expected at flrst, and unless the birds are sufficiently good to warrant their being " high up," they had better stay at home. Many an amateur has split upon the rock of hope, and swum to shore on the wings of disappointment. The entry form filled up and despatched, nothing remains but to let the birds alone, unless they require washing, as old white birds usually do, until two days before the show, when the legs may be cleansed with a brush and soap and water, the comb, wattles, and face washed — some fanciers oil the " red " as well — and the birds transferred to a good strong round hamper with a lid half way across the top. The bottom should be covered with clean straw, and a small cabbage and piece of bread tied high up in the inside for the birds to peck at on the way. In winter the hamper should be lined with canvas ; and for small breeds, such as Hamburghs, and Bantams, or single birds, it should be made long, rounded at the ends, and divided in the . middle, that two pens may be carried. For the large breeds it should be three feet high, for Hamburghs a little lower, and for Bantams we prefer a good Brahma hamper in miniature, lined inside, and covered with canvas at the top, that the sickle feathers may not be injured. Where several pens of Bautams are ex- 22^ GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 108 hibited, more especially when the pullets and hens are not shown with the cooks, provided the owner aooompanies his specimens, or can depend on their receiving careful attention (and some secre- taries are very good in this respect), he may put all his pullets together in one hamper, and the cocks in two or three separate compartments of another, thus saving considerably in carriage. A hamper may well be made to hold four single Bantam cooks ; or two cooks and two pairs of hens. There is so much finesse in exhibiting, that intelligent fanciers necessarily think for them- selves, and discover innumerable little wrinkles whereby their stock may be improved and expenses lessened. Birds are iisually for- warded " without delay " by the railways, and in most cases they may be left on their runs until within an hour or less of their departure by a train, which may be fixed upon as certain to land them in sufficient time. At some shows the rules are so stringent that five minutes after the stated time a pen would be disqualified, an entry refused or forfeited, or a slight clerical error admitted as an objection to a prize winner. As a rule, these narrow views are adopted by the agricultural shows, where poultry are admit- ted as the small fry, for the pleasure of the farmer's wife and those townsfolk who are unable to delight in cattle. As examples we know of one case in which a cup, awarded to Brahmas, was withheld on account of their accidentally being described in the catalogue as Bantams; and in another, entries were refused the day after " closing " although four times the amount was offered for each. At all properly organised poultry shows, however, a fair margin is allowed, and an omission in description, age, &c., does not disqualify. It is important in some cases where an entry is made in a " variety " class ; if the exhibitor keeps two or more varieties competent to enter, he is bound to send that entered if he gives the exact description, whereas it will be noticed that the leading exhibitors give neither name of variety or age in such cases. When all is ready, and the train selected, the hamper, to which the secretary's printed label has been tied, may be despatched, and, perhaps, if a catalogue is sent for, patience may be rewarded. When young cockerels return from a show they should be divided, as they usually fight. White birds may be well washed in a large pan of hot soap suds. The bird should be thoroughly immersed, well lathered with yellow soap, rinsed in cold water — tepid in winter — and placed in a basket of clean straw before a good fire. When we say "well washed " we mean it ; some persons have an idea that it is necessary only to scrub the bird's leg feather and sponge down his hackle, saddle, wings, &o. with a sponge or flannel which has been well soaped ; this is a mistake, as the bird usually looks worse for his cleansing. The bath should be made to the consistency of a washwoman's "suds " and the fowl bodily immer- sed ; let him stand in it during the operation, and when he is well lathered with the soap the hand may be well rubbed into the 23 104 GEBBKAL MANAGEMBNT. "flnff," passed amongst the feathers of the cushion (if a hen) and well worked over the breast, hocks, &c. Some fanciers use a small moderately hard brush for the hackle, using it well soaped and brushed downwards over the feather. In drying it is well to place the hamper a foot above the ground, that the heat may get under the bird. Even when thoroughly clean the wet feathers look dirty, and only display their whiteness when yielding to the gentle heat they open out into their normal form. Although it is seldom necessary to wash other than white birds, there are occasions on which Dark Brahmas and even Buff Cochins require a bath — the delicate ground colour in the former, and the rich- ness of the latter are often marred by dirt — and an improvement Uttle contemplated is made by a judicious washing. 24 H CD 02 ^ DISEASES OF POULTRY. A woKK on Poultry in the present age would not be complete without some reference to the diseases to which they are liable, and some information as' to how they should be met. I shall, therefore, without entering into any elaborate pathological ex- planations, offer a few suoomct remarks upon each form or disease, together with plain practical remedies such as have been found the most successful in the poultry yard. The circulation of the blood is, first of all, the primary condition of health, and any irregularity in its distribution will quickly be followed by some form of sickness. Cold, damp, dirt, and foul air are all active agents in the destruction of health. The first two causes prevent the circulation of the blood in the afiected parts, and the latter poison it, engendering roup, abscesses, and other fatal diseases. The whole of these agents also affect the nervous system, depress- ing the brain and the action of the heart, affecting the lungs and proving most injurious to the mucous membrane, more espeoiallyin the passage of dirt, or dirty food, through the crop. The old maxim is, that prevention is better than cure, but, admitting the truth of this, it often happens that disease cannot possibly be prevented ; hence the necessity arises for learning the surest cure. Some ■diseases among poultry are so common, and their nature so well understood, that many practical amateurs — men who fairly under- stand the physiology of the fowl — suggest and use their own remedies. Others, again, without any thought as to the cause and effect, use the medicines prescribed in their poultry book, or, if they do not possess one, fly to the old family recipe — rue and butter, with a little soot, according to taste — which, according to tradition, cures all diseases from corns to cramp. Apoplexy is a sudden disease, or rather a disease which results in sudden attacks, many of which carry the birds off at once. It is principally caused by excessive feeding, combined with inaction or want of employment. The birds, instead of expending much of the food they eat in muscular exertion, incline to a full habit of body, which predisposes them to the disease. When an attack takes places it is only to be met by bleeding, and that quickly and freely. A vein under the wing may be selected, and Cut longi- tudinally, with good results, if the bird lives through the opera- tion. It should afterwards be fed sparingly, and made to work more freely for its living. Bronchitis and Inflammation, of the Lungs are easily detected, and are, of course, caused by cold settling on the affected parta^ sa 3 108 DISEASES OP FOTJLTEY. Sometimes the breathing is very quick and hard, and the rattling in the throat loud : then the bird must have the best attention and treatment, or it cannot recover. It is often very difficult to diagnose the peculiarity of the attack sufficiently well to meet it closely in every stage, but perseverance will do a great deal. Cod-liver oil and quinine capsules are the very best remedies, combined with great warmth and high but sound feeding. Bumblefoot, principally found in Dorkings and Houdans, may be prevented by the use of low perches. This disease, together with the swelling of the fifth toe, is more generally applicable to these two breeds. The swelling in the foot may be cut with a sharp knife, and the congealed matter removed. The part may then be burnt or cauterised, or it may be dressed with Condy's fluid or carbolic acid (diluted) with success. I have also known a continued dressing of salt to act beneficially. The swelling or disease of the fifth toe may be prevented if it is tied up to the leg when the bird is about two months old. It should be suf- ficiently tight to be effective, yet not painful, and will then settle to its new position, and be free from contact with the other toes on the ground. Catarrh is a slight attack of cold resulting from cold or damp. It may be treated similarly to the first stage of roup. The bird must be removed to a dry house, and fed upon warm stimulating food. A good recipe is the following : loz. iron, loz. aniseed, 2oz. pimento, 2oz. cayenne pepper, mixed into pills, and given twice a day. In some cases three drops of tincture of aconite in a half pint of water given to the bird to drink will have a good effect. It acts upon the mucous membrane, and reduces the inflammation, but all medicines are useless unless the bird feeds well. Chlorate of potash is recommended by some of our American friends, both on account of its great safety and its efficacy. It may be kept prepared ready for use as follows : Put in a pint bottle 2oz. of chlorate and 2oz. of crushed lump sugar, fill with rain water, and allow it all to dissolve. It may be given daily two or three teaspoonfuls to each adult, and will be found very useful in cases of ulceration or canker. For young chicks the solution, to half the strength only, may be given with great advantage in place of their ordinary drinking water. Crop-bound.— This sickness commences by a stoppage in the crop, which is caused in several ways. Sometimes a single object is swallowed which cannot pass into the stomach, and forms a nucleus around which everything collects as it is eaten. The bird whose hunger is not appeased, still has an empty stomach, and eats greedily everything in its way, until, swelled by the drink it takes, the crop is distended to an abnormal size. At other times a bird may be a long time on a journey — this has occurred with me — and, being hungry, devours the hay or straw in his hamper. This it can seldom pass into the stomach, and it consequently eats more and more — feathers, dirt, hair, anything — until the same 4 DISEASES OP POtTLTRY. 109 result is atitained. If the case is not a very bad one I often find a little gin or some ale-sop have a good effect, if administered for two or three days ; a little warm water may then between meals be poured into the crop, and the mass gently squeezed : this will often remove it, the warm water distending the muscles ; cold water should not be used, as it of course contracts them. If all these fail, then select a spot moderately low in the crop, and, after removing the feathers, make an incision of about half an inch in length with a sharp penknife. Through this carefully remove all the contents of the crop, and when satisfied it is empty well rinse it with warm water, and stitch up the slit. Be careful to make two separate sewings, one for each membrane. The bird should then have a little bread and ale, and be fed upon soft food for some days, when it will, unless much emaciated before the operation, recover. Quinine capsules will assist the bird's recovery. Diarrhoea, — The causes of this complaint in fowls are so nu- merous and uncertain that it is almost useless to refer to them. It may be readily checked in its early stages, but when it runs unchecked for any time it is extremely difficult to grapple with, and in the majority of cases the bird dies after pro- tracted and severe suffering. Medicine, food, drink, all course quickly through the body, and the disease assumes what may be termed intestinal irritation. In the early stages milk-sop or boiled meal and milk — either mixed with chalk or seasoned with pulverised cinnamon — is advised by some; others recommend equal proportions of chalk and rhubarb, each 5 grains, mixed with half a portion (25gr.) of cayenne. I would recommend a slight dose of castor oil or rhubarb at first, followed in eight hours by three teaspoonfuls of cold brandy and water, and if then no good effect is perceptible a few chalk pills may be administered at inter- vals. Brown's astringent capsules are useful, and may be found very beneficial. In several cases of diarrhoea I have seen lauda- num recommended strongly, a slight dose (half to one teaspoonf ul) every six hours until relieved ; but the best of all recipes, whether for this disease or dysentery, in which the bird is severely purged, is the prescription of Dr. Percy Ohatterton : Hydr. cum creta 2gr., rhubarb 2gr., laudanum 2 drops, made up into six pills and given daily. A Brown's charcoal capsule given on alternate days will be also useful. Elephantiasis is especially common to Asiatic breeds, Sultans, and Silkies. It is a peculiar growth of matter upon the legs and feet, the work of an insect, and can be easily cured by a few dressings of sulphur ointment. Gapes.' — ^This disease is one greatly dreaded as a chicken de- stroyer. The symptoms are too well known to anyone who has once seen the little chicks afflicted with it. They simply gape, droop, and die. The gaping is caused by the presence of a worm in the windpipe, the parasite firmly adhering to its walls, and by no efforts of its own can the poor little bird eject it. There is 5 110 DISEASES OE POUMEY. but one remedy — to remove or destroy it. Medicine is of no avail, although tonics are useful in sustaining the powers of the chick to enable it to endure both the parasite and the operation for its removal. Among other methods, I may mention that, if large enough, a barbed feather may be passed down the windpipe, and the worm brought up ; or it may be destroyed if the feather be dipped in turpentine or dilute carbolic acid. Another way ia to put the bird or birds, if they are several, into a box or some close vessel, and subject them to the fumes of carbolic acid. This is a certain cure ; but the operation requires great care, for if they are kept too lon^ in the box they will die, and on the other hand too short a space will fail to kill the worms. An American writer states that if the affected chicks are placed under a close coop with a boarded bottom and ventilation at the top only, with a cup of quicklime strewed over the board, that the worm will be de- stroyed and the chicks unharmed, although they may sufEer for a day or two from the effects. Until scientific evidence was brought to investigate the order of this parasite poultry fanciers were quite ignorant of its nature, but it is now unmistakably proved to be a worm {8ynga/mus trachealis). Writers have hitherto pronounced it to be a species of insect of the louse tribe ; indeed, it has been termed the chicken or gape louse, and minutely described with full explanations as to its mode of procedure and development, although really and scien- tifically there is no possible relation between the two families. The insect is the produce of an egg, whereas in this worm the female is completely filled with ova which are mature for im- pregnation. The male is very small in comparison to the female, measuring but an eighth of an inch in length, whereas the female reaches five-eighths. They become united together, the male forming an union about an eighth of an inch from the mouth of the female, and they are afterwards indissoluble. Thus when found in the windpipe of the chick 'the forked appearance of the parasite is at once explained. At one time I adopted the advice of a friend, then editor of the New York BuUetin, and anointed the heads of the whole of the chicks hatched with the following ointment: loz. mercurial ointment, loz. lard, ^oz. flowers of sulphur, |oz. crude petroleum. It was applied as they were taken from the nest, and repeated once or twice at intervals. It is impossible to say whether the chicks were ever in danger of an attack from the worms — at any rate no case appeared during the entire season, and as the author of the recipe stated that it has been largely tried, and in every case with perfect success, I cannot do better than recommend a trial of it. Ijegweakness is generally confined to young growing cockerels. I have frequently met with it in Brahmas and Cochins, the strength of the legs being apparently unequal to the support of the frame, and the bird constantly sinks down upon its hocks. DISEASES or POULTRY. lU Quinine capsules may be given with efieot, also Walton's Tonio Paste — small doses of citrate of iron (5 grains), or this may be given in the drinking water sufficient to give it a ronghish taste. Indeed, anything that the fancy can suggest that is calculated to give a tone to the system and help the powers of digestion will answer well. As regards food, wheat, oatmeal, dari, and a little meat are the best' Lice and other insects are easily cured by dusting brimstone into the feathers of the birds, under the wings, more especially ; the brimstone may be mixed with the dust in their bath, but nothing excels limewash and carbolic if plentifully used about the houses and roosts. Paralysis. — It is often found in the poultry yard, and its cause cannot be accurately determined, although it clearly arises from some derangement of the spinal cord. Some birds are allowed to exist with this complaint for a considerable time without treat- ment, when they recover. I have at the present time a Hamburgh hen, which has been badly afflicted for some time, but she could feed well, and by degrees she recovered the use of her legs, and bids fair to regain her entire strength. Other birds linger hope- lessly for months, and then die. Nothing can be done for them. Kheumatism. — This is caused by damp or cold, and can readily be discovered. The only cure is — removal to dry quarters and plenty of warmth, good food, and a little stimulant. Walton's paste is good, and may be safely used. Roup. — Of all poultry ailments this is the most virulent and fatal. It is the greatest scourge known, and is most readily com- municated ; hence a roupy fowl should always be isolated. Koup is often confounded with simple cold or catarrh, but is in most cases merely the result of aggravated and neglected cold in an un- healthy fowl. There is a running at the nostril, the matter be- coming fetid and most disagreeable. In a day or two the nostrils will appear glued together by the secretion which quickly appears in the corners of the eyes, the face swelling rapidly until the eyeUds close and the bird becomes unable to see, feed, or breathe. It then rapidly breaks up — drooping its head and wings, — the mouth becomes clogged with the secretion which at last assumes the character of a hard yellow pus, and forms in the face, the nostril, round the eyes, and in the mouth. The passages connect- ing the nostrils and the eyes are generally the most deeply affected parts, but sometimes the mouth of the trachea itself is seriously affected, when, if not arrested, the disease reaches the lungs. A simple cold would scarcely degenerate into a disease of this kind, and without doubt it is only when bad feeding, water, or air have engendered a disease which lies latent in the blood, that it is de- veloped by cold, which is the most active agent in provoking the blood to rebel whenever it is impoverished or contaminated. Un- less a bird is valuable it should be killed when it is sick with true roup. If cure is attempted, select a dry warm pen, absolutely free 7 112 DISEASES OF POULTRY. from draught, cleanse the mouth, nostril, and eyes with either of the following: Vinegar and water, or solutions of chlorinated soda or carbolic acid, the latter in the proportion of 1 to 60. Although poisonous in a more concentrated form, the acid thus diluted may be freely used, and a drop or two swallowed by the bird will not hurt it, but rather prove beneficial. It should be left wet upon the face aad nostril, but although the comers of the eye may be gently sponged with it, they should afterwards be sponged with water, so as to remove any trace of the acid from the eye itself, or the sight may be destroyed. This plan followed up will usually prevent the formation of pus, which is most diffi- cult of destruction. In bad cases I have found that an injection of the soda through the slit in the palate has proved most advan- tageous, this being the only solution I know that will really dis- solve the pus. The injector most suitable may be purchased at any good chemist's, where it is sold under the- form of " a cure for the toothache." It is a small glass tube bent at the small end, the large end being fitted with a small indiarubber bag which contains the nostrum. This should be squeezed out, and the soda drawn in as often as required by the suction of the empty bag. The following recipe, which I believe to be a valuable one, I have received from America: Sweet oil loz., camphor 1 dram, carbolic acid 12 drops. Pulverise the camphor in a mortar with a little ether. Apply with the glass tube twice daily, injecting the mixture into the nostrils, mouth, and through the roof. During the illness cod-liver oil capsules, prepared by Brown, will be found useful and strengthening. At the same time that the afiected parts are thus outwardly treated some remedy should be regularly administered internally. First come Walton's Pills and Paste, which so many practical men recommend. The paste is a fine stimxdant, and may be freely used. The pills appear to be much more powerful, and tone the system at the same time, that, so we understand, they act upon the mucous membrane, preventing the formation of fresh matter. Then we have copaiba capsules, which are strongly recommended by some practical men: these have also been tried with good effect. I am inclined to think that as the disease only obtains its firm hold through a low vitality iii the system that it is not to be eradicated by any medicine, but that Nature herself will throw it off should the system regain its lost vital power. In order to do this she must be assisted by good food and a not too liberal use of stimulants, which will, in the first place, sustain the drooping fowl, and, in the second, enable it to digest the food it eats. Beer- sop, bread and milk, a little meat, raw egg — in fact, any concen- trated food calling for little exertion to digest it, will be found good. Combine with this special feeding and the daily tonic pill the free use of the acid or soda mentioned, and if the bird does not recover or soon show signs of recovery, kiU it. I have frequently opened the face of a bird when the secretion had apparently con- 8 DISEASES OF POTJLTIIT. 113 fined itself to the hollow space under the eye, and removed it : this has mostly had good effect, and resulted in cure ; though a more obstinate subject than the pus when it is actually formed it is difficult to conceive. It adheres to every spot it touches as firmly as the limpet to the rock, and must be cut or burnt off to the last speck. Thus where the affected parts are wide-spread, reaching the eye, it is impossible to remove it, and it will stay for months and almost years. I have a Bantam cock, which was exhibited at Brighton, winning a prize ; he caught a severe cold, vrhich ran into roup. He was well attended to, and gradually the swellings decreased, and he appeared to be getting well ; but, strangely, as this occurred, his feet commenced to swell, and, in fact, he appeared to have but allowed the disease to change quarters. It was not to be denied, and at last one foot dropped off completely — it is as perfect as though petrified — and two and part of another toes came off the other foot. He then got better, and has been healthy ever since. In this case the disease wanted to find the means of escape. I may mention that Condy's Fluid is a most useful disinfectant, and a very valuable aid in destroying roup. Stomach Derangement. — Sometimes, and where a quantity of poultry is kept, it frequently happens that a bird may be noticed to refuse food, mope about and sicken. When there is no sus- picion of any other disease the stomach may be found to provide the cause. By degrees, unless change ensues, it will waste away until little is left but bone and feathers. Possibly bad or over- stimulating food may have deranged or inflamed the stomach; hence the food should at once be looked to, and none but such as is very easy of digestion be given. The stomach wants as much rest as can be given to it, and nature will work a cure. To give rest provide such diet as will call the least upon the stomach to digest it — boiled oatmeal or cooked farinaceous-food — no meat or stimulants of any kind. Perseverance in this course will usually succeed, but if the bird is very bad, medicines of any kind would possibly kill it, and are in any case inadvisable. The Egg Organs — All poultry keepers are acquainted with the shell-less eggs — eggs without yolk and other deformities laid by their hens. These are all caused by an irregularity in the oviduct or egg passage, which should be at once remedied, or serious results may ensue. It is generally inflammation, though at times the passage becomes ulcerated, or a tumour forms. Al- though when shell-less eggs are laid the cause may be a want of lime, yet inflammation is more generally to be suspected ; and, as explained in Part IV. in Chapter I., any undue excitement of the parts may cause any one of the monstrosities hens sometimes lay. Sometimes the white appears to coagula^ie in the oviduct blocking up the passage, and as the yolks mature and fall into the canal they enlarge the stoppage, until the mass becomes almost putrid, and the bird dies. I have had several cases of this kind, 9 114 AKTIFICIAIi INCUBATION. and have fonnd that they do not discover themselves until it is too late, for death is certain. In ordinary oases of inflammation I have found the old remedy of 1 grain of calomel andl-12th grain of tartar emetic to answer well. Whitecomb is very common among Hamburghs and Cochins, and is, moreover, catching. It covers the comb and face with a kind of scurf, and will even extend down the neck, attacking the feathers at the root, causing them to fall off. My remedy is the old one — cocoanut-oil 4 parts to 1 part of turmeric. This is cer- tain in its cure ii persevered with. I have also foundcarboho acid answer very well with three or four applications, care being taken to prevent it getting into the eyes. AKTIFICIAL IXCXTBATION. In a work on poultry it would scarcely be considered correct to omit any reference to this subject, and, although it is in our opinion one which can scarcely ever become very popular, yet it ■will be found interesting and necessary to say a few words. Without detailing the various inventions of Minasi, Cantelo, and others it may at once be stated that there are in existence three machines of undoubted excellence — Graves', Halsted's, and Boyle's. These are all self -regulating, and are the only incubators furnished with this advantageous and additional mechanism. There are a number of machines (some very cheap) which can be made to answer very well if a piece of human mechanism (man) is in continual attendance; but they cannot be left, and, although during the day they may be fairly trusted, yet during the night, when the heat of the room becomes less, and when the lamp is left to itself — as a self-registering thermometer will show — the failure takes place, and cannot be rectified until the appearance of the attendant on the following day. There can be no doubt that some of these machines could be made to answer very well, but to make the labour remunerative it would be absolutely necessary to adopt the system of attend- ance in practice among the Chiuese and Egyptians. They have no delicate mechanical appliances to regulate the heat ; and, in fact, BO far as Europeans can learn, their entire machinery is simple in the extreme, if even it can be dignified by such a term. The plain fact is that their ovens, as they are more appropriately eaUed, are both numerous and large, and built underground, opening iuto a room which is never left during the incubation. Thus, they, by hatching on a large scale, make it worth while to employ competent men continually, and so succeed better than 10 ABTIFICIAl INCUBATION. 115 either scientific Englishmen or enlightened Americans, neither of whom can invent that greatest requisite in artificial hatching a thinking regulator. Some inventors produced the heat from beneath the eggs, others around them, but the above-named have adopted the most reasonable principle, and produce it from above. Thus in Graves' machine the eggs are placed in a tray between two tanks of water, one cold at the bottom and the other hot above, above this again being an air chamber, whereas at the top is the drying nursery for the chicks when hatched. At one end of the incubator is an oil reservoir, above which is the lamp, and suspended above this is the boiler, which communicates by tubes with the hot tank. Beneath this tank run a couple of glass tubes, which contain alcohol, and which communicate on the outside with a cylinder. This cylinder, which contains mercury, is furnished with a piston, and thus, the valve being adjusted to a certain temperature, when the. tank rises a degree too high, the alcohol expands, and acts upon the mercury, which forces up the piston-r(3d. This rod, acting upon a lever and a spring by a most ingenious contrivance, lowers the flame of the lamp, and at the same time opens a valve on the top of the machine, which allows the warm air to escape. This accomplished and the temperature lowered, the whole assumes its normal condition. It should be mentioned that the machinery is in duplicate, and placed at each end of the incubator. This incubator is, un- doubtedly, a very good one ; but it, like any other machine, cannot be left long to itself. Halsted's incubator, again, is very ingenious. In it the egg drawer is at the bottom, but within the drawer is a zinc pan, and again, fitted inside the pan is a zinc tray, made in a zig-zag form, thus VVVVW. The object of this tray, which is used in Crook's incubator is, that whereas the pan is furnished with water to the depth of nearly ^in. — the eggs obtain the requisite moisture without being immersed at all — and, moreover, they lay snugly upon strips of flannel in rows in these little troughs. Above the egg drawer is the hot water tank, and above this the chicken nursery, into which open a couple of tubes for the escape of hot air. In this incubator the regulator is a very delicate one, and acts by a nice balance which, when disturbed by the rise of the mercury, acts upon a lever and opens the valves. Boyle's incubator is certainly the most elaborate we have seen in this country, and whether from the ingenuity of its design, or the success which appears to have attended it, we must antici- pate for it a certain career. The inventor expended a considerable period in experimenting and perfecting his invention, and he has undoubtedly completed a clever contrivance for regulating the heat with much certainty. The incubator is in the form of a box upon four legs. On opening the door in front we perceive the tank or boiler, at the back a large space being left between the door and boiler for the regulating contrivance. Above this is the 11 116 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. egg drawer, and at the top of all is the hatching box, circular in form and provided with a lid. On either side of the machine is a small mother, with a wire run attached. The principle of the regulator is as follows : The boiler, by the force of expansion, is capable of lifting a certain quantity of mercury ; it is, therefore, connected by its only outlet with a glass tube, at the end of which is a bowl. This tube is placed in a horizontal position, and is connected with the boiler by a flexible hinge. Exactly above this glass tube is the gas pipe, in the centre of which is a tap. Here lies the important point. This tap acts as the pivot in the centre of a lever, one end of which is weighted with a small weight, the other being connected by a thread with the bowl of the glass tube, so that any weight in the bowl at once acts upon the lever, and consequently turns off the gas. In the bowl, therefore, a certain quantity of quicksilver is placed — indeed, just sufiBcient to balance the lever when the boiler stands at 106°. Should it, however, from any cause become liable to higher or lower heat, such varia- tion is immediately checked by the extra pressure upon the quick- silver caused by the expansion of the water, thus forcing it into the bowl, and acting upon the tap ; or, on the other hand, lower temperature causes the water to contract, and the quicksilver is drawn to the other end of the tube, and the bowl rises upwards when the tap is gradually turned on. When once understood the principle is very simple, and is stated to be unfailing in its results. The above applies especially to gas, but supposing that cannot be obtained, a circular oil lamp is furnished, which turns upon a pivot, and acts by partially extinguishing a flame on a very broad wick. A pulley wheel carries a thread, which, when the lamp is put into its place, hooks on to the glass bowl, and the other end being fastened to the pivoted lamp, causes the wick to be drawn out from under the partial extinguisher by the rising of the bowl, and consequently a larger flame is produced. This acts conversely on the bowl falling from too much heat, and nearly extinguishes the flame ; " also, as oil wicks char, the same action causes the wick to be gradually drawn out as it chars, and a fresh portion exposed, so that on going to bed, and leaving the flame at one end of the broad wick, it will be found in the morning that the flame is nearly at the other, and that nearly the whole wick will be exposed, while the portion left burning overnight will be black and dead." The eggs are placed in sockets, which are provided in the egg-plate for each, and held in their places by springs, the whole being daily turned by a gentle contrivance which is more delicate and certain than were they turned by hand, and which keeps them constantly moving. The springs, too, press the eggs against the metal above, so that they receive the heat direct. When the eggs chip they are placed in the hatching box, and when dry they are transferred to the mothers, which are heated by the jacket of the machine, which is fllled with water. 12 AKTIHOIAL INCUBATION. 117 Among the simpler machines, such as have no regulator, the best I know is Crook's. With one of these I have been at con- siderable pains to attain success ; but, although I succeeded ia attaining a result, proving the soundness of the theory, yet the very bad proportion of hatched chickens in each case induced me to consider the experiments as failures. The machine is made of block tin, the tank being beneath the egg drawer — in fact at the bottom^— and the lamp is simply placed beneath the incubator. In the draw is a zigzag tray, similar to Halsted's, on which the eggs are placed, cold water being at the bottom of the pan as in that machine. The door of the egg drawer is of glass, and inside is fixed a thermometer. During the whole of the periods in which 1 experimented with this incubator I kept a book by its side, into which I entered the readings of two thermometers and other special matters almost every hour in the day from 7 a.m. until 12 and often 1 at night. In the lamp was used the best crystal oil, and it certainly burnt very even — the eggs, too, were regularly turned. As a result I noticed that every time the lamp was re- plenished the thermometer went up too high, and this in spite of every care; and when we know that during the first few days 1 or 2 degrees is sufficient to destroy the germ, it is at once apparent that in the absence of a constant attendant a regulator is neces- sary, and one which will infallibly act of itself. Without doubt the experience of all practical men teaches that incubators, even supposing the price was within reach of the humble, would never become popular in England. Hens are so little trouble, so cer- tain, and so cheap, that I confess they are to be preferred ; but there are times when the most obstinate would gladly avail them- selves of the incubator. Where the broods become glued in the shells, where a hen dies, or when she clumsily kills some, they may be removed to it for warmth or complete hatching. Again, where a hen forsakes her nest, how handy the machine, which wUl prevent disappointment ; and even, as has been advised by other writers, what assistance it may render by completing the latter portion of the period of incubation, which is the most difficult and delicate, the first week or ten days of which has been per- formed by hens, thus enabling the breeder to sit them again and again. All these matters may be readily accomplished, the incu- bator being kept at from 104° to 106° rigidly. Although during the last week it has been proved that even 110° will not kill the chickens, although kept at that temperature for over an hour. Such an experiment, however, is dangerous, and even 106° should never be exceeded. The next thing to be mentioned is what to do with the chickens when they are hatched. As they cannot be given to a hen, an artificial mother is used. This appliance is easily constructed for a few shillings in the ordinary way ; although for early chickens it is necessary to provide artificial heat. In Crook's mother this is done with hot water, the mother being made of zinc with a space 13 118 ARTIPICrAL nrCUBATION. at the top and back into which it is poured, and if necessary kept up to any temperature by the aid of a little lamp. This is, however, scarcely necessary as even in the coldest weather the water keeps warm during the night, and if necessary can be changed in the morning. The mother is lined at the top with lambs' skin, being about Sin. high at the back, i.e., inside and 4Jin. front. The door is made of perforated zinc which can be closed at night, and as the mother fits into a firm wooden floor which should be always kept well sanded, it is a sure protection against vermin. To the mother is attached a little wire run in which they are confined during the first ten days when they begin to know their artificial parent, and can be allowed their full liberty. With the exception of the very coldest weather it will be found that these incubators, some of which have been manufactured by poultry amateurs and sold at monstrous prices are not one whit more useful than such as may be made by any fancier who is handy with his tools. All that is needed is that the box shall be well put together, and that the material for lining it be both long and good. A well woolled sheepskin mat, or strips of flannel or wool may be well tacked into the roof, the sides and end being lined with carpet, or any coarse material that will answer the purpose. The mother may be from Sin. to Sin. high at the back and from 4Jin. to 7in. front and varying from 15in. to 20in. width by 18in. to 24in. length. The chicks are easily trained to it, and if it is kept scrupulously clean they thrive well, but the wool must not be allowed to become matted or entangled or the chicks may get choked. The mother should at night be placed upon a firm board covered half an inch deep with dry mould or sand, which may be mixed with sulphur to destroy insect life ; and with a door perforated to let in the air, rats and cats may be easily defied. An artificial mother is at all times useful in case a number of chickens are left without their protec- tors, and somq fanciers even take the chickens from the hens when hatched put them in the mothers, and sit the hen again ; indeed in the early season, when sitting hens are scarce, it can be no matter of surprise that breeders avail themselves of every available device to obtain their very necessary stock for the coming year. Another style of artificial mother, and one which is from the design of an amateur, appeared some time ago in the Bazaar news- paper. It appears to be very useful, and is stated to hold forty chicks and cost but Sd. per week for firing. The box is made of Jin deal, it is lined throughout and the hot water tin (am old mustard tin will do very well) is covered with felt. In warm weather artificial heat is only necessary during the first ten days. The floor is covered with floorcloth and ashes. A dry nursery is joined into the front and is made in the form of a model greenhouse, except that the upper half is of perforated zinc, the holes being fin. in diameter. In Fig. 12 A is the ventilation, B the hot water tin, C the lamp chamber, D a sixpenny benzoline lamp, £ movable bars ou which 14 jl ' ' " i'. If. ' 120 PATTENINS. are suspended the worsted strands of a new mop to within an inch of the floor, these rest on fillets F which are nailed to the sides of the box, G chickens' ladder, H iron plates over the lamp, I open- ing over lamp, JJ dotted lines showing arrangement of the fringed bars, K fnrnace door, L opening the whole width of the front to allow chicks to enter, M shows the pieces of cloth or worsted nailed to the bars of wood. This mother is a very simple affair, and can be made by almost any handy poultry keeper, who, in the process of manufacture should keep an eye to improvements and not scruple to add to it in any consistent and practical way. FATTENING. Theee can be no doubt that young fowls caught up from their walks in prime condition have a better flavour than those fatted in confinement, but it is, of course, certain that in the proper accepta- tion of the word they are not really /ai ; indeed, it is an uncommon circumstance to find a young bird of any breed, when at liberty, and, however plump, which when killed shows any fat at all. Some young birds will not fatten even ii put up in coops for the purpose, and it is, therefore, necessary to consider which breeds to select for the purpose. Dorkings are pre-eminently chickens for the fatting coop ; Brahmas and Cochins also are good, but Game, Hamburghs, and such Uke active breeds are unsuitable. Young birds may be put up at about three months, and if they feed themselves properly they may be ready in fourteen or fifteen days. If not, they should be discarded, as a "contented mind" in a chicken is absolutely neces- sary to the accumulation of flesh. If needed earUer, then they must be crammed, when in all probabUity they wiU be ready in ten days. The best food is oatmeal mixed with new milk ; barley meal, and wheat meal are also good, and may be varied ; in fact, there is nothing like a change of food to tempt the appetite. Of all things perhaps the most important is cleanUness and freshness — at every meal, therefore, let the food be fresh and sweet ; the trough should be cleaned every time, otherwise it must get sour ; and ifa little out grass is given now and then between the two meals it will be all the better. In some counties the poultry higglers use suet, and there is no doubt that this is a capital medium, a few scraps given at midday regularly will be most beneficial. It is advisable never to give the evening meal until the crop is empty. For drink, if possible, give new mUk, if not skim milk, or in default of either water. Some poultry men TATTENINS. 121 give the birds a little brimstone or rhubarb before putting up to fetten; but, although this is perhaps a good plan with an old fowl, yet healthy chickens cannot need it. A charcoal capsule may be given with good effect about the second week by way of a purifier. Sometimes a little meat or vegetable is given. This may do, to freshen the appetite, on one or two occasions, but not more, as meat is too stimulating, and vegetables too relaxing for fattening pur- poses. The coop illustrated is for one or two birds, and may be hung in any dry outhouse without being in the way. It is recom- mended by Mr. K. B. Edwards. It is well ventilated ; the front can be covered at night ; the two Pia. 13. Pattiko Coop. troughs are movable, and it can either be made with an open barred bottom, thus allowing the excrement to fall on to the ground or with a perch and a plain false bottom, which can be daily taken out, scraped and sanded, and replaced. Almost all the fatting pens provided in large estabUshments have open bottoms, the bars running from side to side. Those at tne Duke of Sutherland's, which I have inspected, are both nu- merous and good. They are kept in n large building, and the spotless manner m which they may be always found speaks volumes for the care of the manager, Mr. Simon Fielding It should be observed, that when a fowl has properly fatted, it 17 122 POTJMBT FAKMINe. shonld be killed, or it will fall away, and possibly become diseased. It should not be fed twelve hours before killing, an operation best formed either by striking off the head at a blow, taking oare to hold the legs and wings ; or, what is better, putting the bird into a small bag, with a hole at the bottom, through which its head may be dra?m. If then tied at the feet it will be powerless, and will not flap about after execution, as birds usually do. Another mode is to stun the fowl by a severe blow on the back of the head, and then immediately sticking it in the palate. In this case also it should be firmly held until dead, when it may be plucked, trussed, and allowed to cool and get firm. A young fowl should not be eaten under two days, and an old one may be kept with advantage from four to ten ^ys, according to its age and the season of the year. If for the market, the birds should be sent quickly, and well packed in layers of straw in a hamper, and by no means in a box, which in a hot season and on a long journey would possibly spoil them all. FOXntiTKY FABIXINO. At the present time, it is a fact that this country has no system of wholesale poultry keeping, and I know of no single case in which poultry farming on a large scale is carried on. Our markets are compelled to rely chiefly upon cottagers and farmers for their dead poultry, and on France for their eggs ; although, certainly^ many country markets are supplied with fresh eggs which are brought to the markets by the farmer's wives. At most seasons eggs are readily bought at a penny each, and poultry at 9d. a pound commands a ready sale. Surely this fact, then, should be a sufficient inducement to many persons to embark in so pleasant and tolerably profitable a business, Poultiy keeping, however, on a fairly large scale has witnessed many failures. There are so many persons who, for various reasons, like to live in the country and try to thrive by the aid of a few head of live stock. Horses are far beyond them ; cows are too expensive, and, moreover, require special knowledge ; pigs are not so agreeable, and are said not to pay; poultry, then, they think is the last resource — and what numbers of lajdng hens can be purchased with a little capital — ^the houses can be home made — ^rent wiU not be heavy — there will be a return from the very commencement, and, best of all, there is nothing to learn — ^it is so simple anyone can keep poultry — you have only to feed them and collect the eggs ! Such are the ideas of many who have started poultry for profits POULTKy FARMINS. 123 and miserably failed. No ; it is of no use embarking in a pursuit of this kind without ample knowledge acquired from experience. A practical man then may hope for success, but not more, perhaps, than is offered by any other legitimate business. If a fancier of show birds needs to know so much to succeed with his few, bow necessary then is it that he who handles hundreds, or perhaps thousands of birds, should be competent — for the same rules regarding health, houses, chickens, feeding, and the thousand little matters of poultry keeping which apply to the exhibitor, apply far more forcibly to the poultry farmer. He will in addition have many more things to think of ; his land may perhaps answer his purpose during the first year or two, but the time may come when it will become tainted and engender disease, which would carry off half his flock, as it has often done in other cases. He must then provide for such an emergency — a provision few would really carry out. The poultry farmer should above all things be his own overseer, and trust to nobody in this respect. Nothing must be scamped — food good and regular, water always clean, and fountains the same — houses regularly scraped out, sanded, and lime washed — disease checked directly it appears, and ruthlessly stamped out. Where there is much to do and few to do it, the attendants are ever liable to skip all these matters, unless the master's eye is watchful. The example of highly paid exhibitor's poultry men is too eagerly copied. The men become more important than the masters, and do little but prepare for exhibitions — ^the real work of the poultry yard is much top hard for them to attempt. I know by experience of poultry men that they get into slovenly habits, and this dege- nerates into carelessness and laziness. On a farm where the health of hundreds of birds — to say nothing of the Kves — depends upon hired labour — all this is of vast importance. Again, the master must, by every means, keep down the expenses : poultry men are always wanting this article and that bird, when they should be required to make the one and produce the other — excepting in peculiar cases. The principal difficulties to be met in considering a plan to make a poultry farm succeed are: — (1.) Disease and how to prevent it upon appearance running through the whole stock. (2.) Insects, &o., such as so greatly conduce to the health and profit of fowls in farmyards, and how to provide a substitute. (3.) The hatching and rearing a sufficient number of chickens. (4.) How to produce a sufficient number of eggs. In the first case the proper plan would be to divide the stock into companies which could not mix with each other ; secondly, it is impossible to provide the very suitable delicacies which farmyard fowls live upon, but horseflesh might occasionaUy be given with advantage. The best food of this kind however is the waste from an hotel, and where the breeder has the means of communication with a large town, he would be able to contract 19 124 POULTRY FABMING. for this very nseful feed at a very reasonable cost. Snoh a combi- nation as pieces of cheese, bread, meat, fish, &c., present is not to be overlooked, and in my opinion a wholesale poultry farm would not be unremunerative. As a rule this food is sold to pigkeepers, who give from £20 to £100 a year for it, according to the size of the" hotel. Thirdly, the hatching and rearing of a number of chickens would be found a very onerous and difficult task. In the first place, a great difficulty would be found in providing setting hens ; and the task of feeding and managing them, attend- ing to the hatching, providing food, &c., for the young chicks, sheltering them from rain and wind, and giving them sun and grass runs would be simply immense. Chickens die so readily, and demand so much close' attention, that unless everything is properly attended to failure is certain. In all this there must be proper men, a sufficient number of coops, and plenty of dry covered shelter, such as a bam affords. The coops will do for the hens to sit in, or they may be placed in boxes, baskets, anywhere convenient. A properly appointed farm, however, should have a large hatching-room with a row of boxes all round it on the floor, each box being about 18in. square, with a lid at the top which is perforated for ventilation. "When closed these boxes have the appearance of fixed forms or seats. Over the boxes running round in a similar manner should be a number of wire show pens, into which the sitting hens should be penned daily, and all fed together, when they may be replaced. These pens will be absolutely necessary for other purposes irrespective of the hens. Fourthly, comes the egg question, and when estimating the return to be made, nothing can be more absurd than the common practice of taking a single hen of a certain breed which may pos- sibly have laid 200 eggs within a year as an example, and con- cluding that 1000 hens must therefore lay 200,000. Even 100 hens of the most prolific breed will not be found to lay many more per hen than half the number laid by a single bird selected as an example — and by the same infallible rule, for hens always lay according to an inverse ratio — 1000 hens would lay many more per hen less than those where a single hundred is kept. The safest estimate on a large farm would be ninety per hen at the outside, according to the system usually adopted, but if the breeder adopted the rule which I have many times laid down, he would be able to increase this largely. It is as follows : Breed as many early pullets as possible, January, February, and March birds; these, if well reared, will commence to lay in August, September, and October, and wiil not absolutely cease until the moult commences just a year afterwards. Many will doubtless stop in the winter during severe weather, but being pullets, they will, as a rule, lay fairly in the worst weather. Thus, then, the breeder will obtain the first or summer batch, when they will rest a week or two, then a winter batch, laying right away into the spring ; and lastly, a second summer batch. In this case I 20 POULTET PAKMINO. 125 allude to non-sitters. Sitting breeds will take a longer rest ia early spring, and should be sat at once. As far as possible the artificial mother plan should be adopted, as the hens can then be put back on to their walks, and will be ready to lay some weeks earlier, besides the labour would be decreased where one mother is made to accommodate as many as three hens. When the birds cease laying and commence to moult, they ought either to be sold or killed for market without delay, as every day they are consuming food, without yielding any return, and indeed they are not likely to return anything respectable until the following April, and then not enough to repay the cost of their keep during the moult and winter season. Good strong Hamburghs and Leghorns may possibly lay as many as 140 per hen all roimd on this system from the time she commences to lay until her moult, which is a picked year. Brahmas, Eoudans, Minorcas, Plymouth rooks, and common Spanish over 100 ; crossbreds, first cross only (I do not allude to mongrels), such as any of the above judiciously crossed, would possibly lay 120 to 140. For sitters, Brahma and Dorking, Eock and Dorking, or Cochin and Minorca, make as good as any, at the same time that they prove splendid layers. In forming a poultry farm the best plan is to select a place where the soil is naturally dry, and where in winter the wet drains quickly away, and does not remain in pools, as it does on some soils. The land should stand high, be protected at the back from the North winds and snows, and, if possible, slope towards the South. Supposing there were several such plots or paddocks, a row of plain villa-like houses should be built at the top facing the south, each large enough for fifty hens. There need be no elaborate contrivances or even provision for breeding. The number of houses built should be according to the size of the ground, ajlowing about fifty hens to the acre. There are so many designs that it is unnecessary to describe any, as a practical man would be well able to select one from his own experience. Where land is cheap it would be well not to put fowls into fields side by side, but rather to omit a plot on either side of the fowl meadow, changing every year or two to give the fields which had been occupied a purifying rest. One field might be occupied by breeding pens only, but these should be a little more elaborate. To each house, if only a few are required, should be a covered run opening at the sides and front ; in this case one lot could have the advantage of the whole field at a time, the others, even when confined, having space sufficient for the purpose. Cooks need only be kept for these hens, and one to every dozen would do very well. It would be advisible to make both houses and runs 6in. higher than the ground outside. If, however, many pure breeds are kept and the owner looks for business among fancy poultry, he might erect a long building, say 10ft. high at the ridge, and 7ft. or 8ffc. at the eaves. A passage should run down the centre, and on either side should be pens 10ft. square by 4ft. 21 126 POTJLTKT FABMDfG. high, with other pens bnilt over them for chickens, sick birds, pigeons, or anything which the bnsiness of such a place would frequently afford. The roof should be glazed about a foot on either side of the ridge, and in wet or cold weather the_ birds could be fed, attended, and shown to visitors from the inside. Outside grass runs could be parted off to any length by 20ft. in breadth, thus giving the occupants of each pen a run every -other day. As to the result of such a farm, the following figures may be of some interest, founded as they are upon the same basis as those which I have at different times published, and which have met with the approval of many of the poultry public : — EECEIPTS. Eggs from 1000 hens at 120 per hen, at say 8a. 6d. per 120 on the average 425 1000 chickens at 2s. 6(1 125 Peathers Fancy poultry „ EggBfrom do -Ha; (prodnce of &xm) £ a. d. EXPENSES. £ a. d. Food for 1000 hens and a few cocks at IJd say 275 One man per loco 52 Eent 201. to 30 Eggs nsed in setting 5 Chickens' food 65 Interest on capital 20 Wear and tear of plant 10 Death among birds Horse's keep Feed of fancy stock £ CAPITAIi ACCOTINT. Cost of fancy stock and houses for same £ First cost of 1000 pullets for laying 125 Houses, coops, &c 100 Feed until in working order 25 - Carriage and other items 50 Horse and trap, &c 50 £ I have not pretended to furnish a balance sheet, as it must Tiecessarily prove fallacious, but the above will enable any indivi- dual to prepare one for themselves, estimating, as no one else could, the probable return from their fancy stock. This, if the breeder ■were a clever man, would be an important item, and almost decide the fate of his business. The receipts for eggs and chickens are estimated at a low rate purposely. Feathers are certainly a proper item, but their value would depend greatly upon circum- stances. The hay would, in all probability, cover the cost of the land. With regard to food I think IJi. per week a fair item, having kept large numbers at this rate. The charge for one man is only upon the supposition that the master worked hard him- self. An allowance for death should be made, as very many hens would be lost among so large a number; but I have made no allowance for depreciation, as it is clear that a plump young hen should make at least 2e, 6d. A horse and trap would be necessary, 22 POULTRY PAEMtNG. 127 but were the stook twice as large this item would not increase. There is no doubt that food might be purchased at a price which would enable the breeder to feed his birds at Id. per week per bead. In !France good buck wheat can be purchased at per ton at the rate of 3s. Sd. a bushel ; barley at a similar price. A Lloyd's hand machine would provide meal purer than that pur- chased of the miller ; and this, with potatoes and other roots grown at the farm and hotel waste, would make a great reduction which would be sufficient to turn the scale in favour of the market poultry irrespective of fancy breeds. In conclusion, as I have before said, poultry keeping will afford a fekir income to a competent practical man together with a plea- surable pursuit, but the above figures will at once show how probable it is that a person not conversant with the business would, as so many have done, most certainly fail. 23 C'- ATALOGUE OF New and Practical BOOKS. /^^^^^I^yt y^^ >\ ^''- I — 1881. CATALOGUE. ANIMALS. BIRDS, &c. Breaking and Training Dogs: Being Concise Directions for theproper Education, both for the Fieia snd a« Com; panions, of Betrievers, Pointers, Setters, Spaniels, Terriers, 60. By Pathfindee. In cloth gilt, 58., by post, Ss. 4d. Diseases of Dogs : Their Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment ; to which is added a corrolete Dictionary of Canine Materia Medica. For the Use of Amatenrs. By JlnsH DAI.ZIEI, (Author of " British Dogs," SusX , ^^ .,^ ^ . ,. „ „. In paper, price Is., by post Is. Id. ; in clolih gilt is., by post 2s. M., British Dogs : Their Varieties, History, Characteristics, Breeding, Management, and Exhibi- tion. Ulnstrated with 6! Portraits of the Chief Dogs of the Day. By avas DuzlEt. ('■Oorsinoon," Author of "The Diseases of Dogs," "ThelhseaseB of Horses," io.), oflsistedby Eminent Fanciers. [May also be had in Divisions, as Bevelled boards, extra gilt, gilt edges, price 10s., by post, lOs. 6d. Dogs Used in Field Sports : Their History, Varieties, Characteristics, 6c. With nineteen full page Portraits of celebratedDogs of the Day. iFormvnff IHvUum I. (if** £riti*h Dogs,'*) Price Ss., by post, Ss. 3d. Dogs Useful to Man In other Work than Field Sports. Their History, Varieties, Characteristics, &c, With twenty-four full Ipage Portraits of Leading Dogs of the Day. (Forming JHoision II. of ** British Sogn/*) Price Ss., by post, Ss. Sd. , House and Toy Dogs : • Their History, Varieties, Characteristics, fto. Also the General Management of Dogs, and Breeding and Bearing. Illustrated vlth nine Portraits of Celebrated Dogs of the Day. {ForminaDivUi^m III. of *' British Doga,") Price 2s., by post, 2s. 2d. Of Englishe Dogges ; The SiuerBities, the names, the natares, and the properties. A Short Treatise written in latine by lobannes Gains of late memorie. Doctor of Phisicke in the IJmuerBitie of Oambridge. And newly drawne into Englishe by Abbahau Fleuihg, Student. Natura etiam m bruHs vim ostenMt »uam. Beene and allowed. Imprinted at London by Bychard Jobnes, and are to be soldo ouer against S. Sepnlchres Ohnich without Newgate. 1576. Beprinted verbatim. 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Patents, Trade Marks, and Designs: I'aSSf'thfse^he^'" B/ABOmnTLn'oaAfo"''™^"" '" ^'"^^ Protection under In cloth gilt, price U. 6d., by post. Is. 8d. ; in paper, price Is., by post. Is. Id. Practical Handbooks. — Mechanics {continued). ' Praetieal Architecture : As applied to Farm Buildings of every description (Oow, Cattle and Calf Houses, Stables, Piggeries, Sheep Uhelter Sheds, Boot and other Stores, Poultry Houses). Dairies, and Country Houses and Cottages, Profusely Illustrated with Diagrams and Plans. By Bobert Scott Born. In oloth gilt, prioe 6s., by post, 5s. 4d, Practical Boat Building for Amateurs : Containing full Instruotions for Uosigning and Building Punta, Bkitts, Canoes. Bailing Boats, &o. Fully Illustrated with working diagrams. By Asbiah Neison, C.B. New Edition, revised and enlarged hy Dixon Kehp (Author of " Yaoht Designing," "A Manual of Yacht and Boat Sailing," Sc). In cloth gilt, prioe 2s, 6d., by post, 2s. 8d. Art of Pyroteehny: BelnET Com^rehenBive and Practical insfcractiocB for the Manufacture of Fire- works, specially designed for the use of Amateurs. Profusely lUostrated. By W. H. Browne, Ph.D. M.A., L.R.O.P., &o. Second Edition. In cloth gilt* price 2s. 6d., by post. 2s. lOd. Minor Fireworks : Containing Instructions for the Manufacture of the Common and Simple Varieties of Fireworks. For the Use of Amateurs, niustraied. By W, H. Bbowne, Ph.D., M.A., &c. (Author of *' The Art of Pyrotechnj"). In paper, price la., by post. Is. Id. Practical Firework Making for Amateurs : Being complete and explicit Directions in the Art of Fyrotechny, as applied to lioth the Major and Minor Fireworks, for the use of Amateurs and Begioners. By W. H. Beowke, Ph.D., M.A., L.R.C.e;, &Cy author of " Gun Cotton and other Explosive Compounds/' ** The Chemistry of Warfare." &c. Illustrated, in cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d;, by post Ss. 9d. vr Amateurs: A Practical Guide to the Art of Printing ; containing DescriptiouB of Presses and Materials, together with Details of the FroceHRes employed, to whicJi is added a Glossary of TechnicalTerms. Illustrated. By P. E. Baynob. In paper, price Is., by post Is. 2d. Turning for Amateurs: Containing full Description of the Lathe, with all its working parts and attach- ments, and minute instructions for the effective use of them on wood, metal, and ivory. Illustrated with 180 first class wood engravings. Second Edition. In cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d., by post, 2s. 9d. 'Carpentry and Joinery for Amateurs: Contains full Descriptions of the various Tools required in the above Arts. together with Practical Instructions for their use. By the Author of " Taming for Amateurs," *' Working in Sheet MetaU" ftc. In cloth gilt, price 26, 6d,a by post,2s. 9d. Working in Sheet Metal: Being Practical Instructions for Making and Mending small Articles in Tin, Copper, Iron, Zinc, and Brass. Illustrated. Third Edition. By the Author or ** Taming for Ajnateurs," Ac. In paper, price 6d., by post, 6id. Wood Carving for Amateurs: Gontaimng Descriptions of all the reouisite Tools, and full Instructions for their use in producing different varieties of Carvings. Illustrated. In paper, price Is., by post. Is. Id. JPraetical Mechanics for Amateurs , A Series of Treatises on Taming, Carpentry and Joinery, Working in Sheet Metal, Wood Carving, Firework Making, and Printing. Illustrated. In Cloth gilt, price 10s. 6d., by post, lis. 2d. Organs and Organ Building: Givii^ the History and Coiatruction of the Modem Organ, and Descriptions of the most remarkable Instruments. With Important Specifications of celebrated Organs. Dluntrated. By C. A. Edwards. In cloth gilt, price 53., by post, 5b. 4d. Practical Handbooks, Published at 170, Strand, W.C. POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. Praetieal Taxidermy : . A Manual of Instmction to the Amateur in Collecting. Preserving, and Setting-up> l^atoral History Specimens of all kinds. Illustrated. By Moktagit Bbown£» In cloth gilt, price ^. 6d,, by post, 3s. 9d. Collecting Butterflies and Moths ; Being Birections for Capturinc', Killing, and Preserving Lepidopt era and their Larvse. Illnstrated. Beprinted, with addition, from "Practical Taxidermy ."" By Montagu Browne f Author of " Practical Taxidermy "), In paper, price Is., by post Is. Id. Popular British Fungi: Oontaining Descriptions and Histories of the Principal Fun^, both Edible andi Poisonous, of our Counti?. JUnstrated. By Jahes Britten, F.Ij.S., &c. In clow gilt, price 3s. 6d., by post. 8s. Qd, British Marine AlgcB: Being a Popular Account of the Seaweeds of Great Britain, their Collection and Preservation. Magnificently illustrated with 205 engravings. By W. H^ Graittan. In clota gilt, price 5s. 6d„ by post, 5s. lOd. Zoological Notes: On the Structure, Affinities. Habits, and Faculties of Animals; with Adventurea amonir and Anecdotes of thf m. B£ Akthde Nicols, F.G.8., F.B.6.S. (author of "The Puzzle of Life, and How it Has Been Put Together," " Chapters from the: Physical Histoi; of the Eaith "). [In the press. ■ ?3 «». ::i . GUIDES TO GARDENING. The Hardy Fruit Book (Vol. I.) : Consisting ol a Series of Exhaustive Treatises on various Hardy Fruits grown. in this country ; giving the History, the most desirable Sorts, and the best Methods of Cultivation of each. Illustrated. By D. T. Fish (Author of " Fmning, Graft- ing, and Budding Fruit Trees," "Bulbs and Bulb Culture," &c.). Vol. I. includes the Apple, the Pear, Peach and Nectarine, mentioned below. "Vol. II. vrill includes the Apricot, the Plum, &c, [May also be had in Pares as follow] : In cloth gilt, price 5s., by post. 5b. 5d. The Apple: Its History, Tarieties, Cultivation, Pruning, Training, Cropping, So. _, _ In paper, price Is., by post, Is. Id. The Bear : Its History, Varieties, Cultivation, Pruning, Training, Cropping, &c. In paper, price Is. tid., by post. Is. 7d. The Peach and Nectarine: Their History, Yaiieties, Cultivation, PruLing, Training, Cropping, So. In paper, price u. 6d., by post. Is. 7d. The Apricot: Its History, Varieties, Cultivation, Pruning, Training, Cropping, Diseases, So-- In paper, price Is., uy post Is. Id. The Plum: Its History, Varieties, Cultivation, Pruniog, Training, Cropping, «c. In paper, price Is., by post. Is. id. Practical Handbooks. — Guides to Gardening (continued). Orchids for Amateurs: Contaiiilng DeBorlptlons of Orohlda salted to the leaulrementB of the Amateur, with full Instruotlona for their sucoesBful Oultlvatlon. with Bumerous beautiful llluatra- tions. By Jauxs Bbitteh, F.L.S. (of the British IIuBeum), and W, H, GowsB, In oloth gilt, price 7e. 6d., b; post, 7b. lOd. Rose Growing for Amateurs: Being Praotioal Instruotlona for the nuccesaful Culture of Boaea, with eelectlons of the beat varietlea adapted to the leauirementa of the Amateur in Town or Oonntry. By W. D. Pbiob. In paper, price la. 6d,, by post. Is, Sd. Bulbs and Bulb Culture {Vol, I.) : Being Descriptions, both, historical and botanical, of the principal Balbs and Bolboos Plants grown in this country, and their chief Vaileties ; with full and Eractio^ inatruotions for their Buooessfal Cultivation, both in and oat of doors. Llnatrated. By D. T. Fish. Vol. I. includes Farts I. and II., as named below. In cloth gilt, price 2b, 6d., by post, 23. dd. The Snowdrop, Bulboeodium, Sternbergia, Crocus^ Colehicum, Tulip, and Hyaeinth : The best sorts, and their cultivation, indoors, under glass, and in the open border. Illuatrated, {Forming Part I. of " Bulba and Bulb Culture") In paper, price Is,, by post. Is. Id. The Anemone or Wind Flower, the Narcissus, the Lily : The best sorts, and their cultivation, indoors, nnder glass, and in the open border. Illuatrated, {Forming Part II. of ** Sulba and Bulb Culture") In paper, price 1b., by post, is. 2d. The Gladiolus or Corn Flag, Lachenalia, Cyela- men. Ranunculus, and Scilla or Squill {Star Hyacinth) : The best sorts, and their cultivation, iodoors, under glass, and in the open border. Illuatrated, {Forming Part III. of " Bulbs and Bulb Culture") In paper, price Is., by post, la. lid. Vine Culture for Amateurs : Being Plain Directions for the successful growing of Grapes, with the means and appliances usually at the command of amateurs. Illmtrated. By W. J. Mat (Author of "Qreenhouse Management for Amateurs," **Cacamher Coltnre for Amateurs," &c.). In paper, price Is., by post. Is, Id. Pruning, Grafting, and Budding Fruit Trees: Illustrated with ninety*three Diagrams. B; D. T. Fish, In paper, price Is., by post. Is. Id. Villa Gardening : Being plain instructions for the Proper Laying-out, Planting, and Management of Bmall Gardens ; with lists of Trees, Shrubs, and Piaats most suitable, and thirteen Designs for small gardens. By W. J. May. Cheap edition, in paper, price Is.* by post, Is. Id. Rose Budding: Containing full Instructions for the successful performance of this interesting operation, Illuatrated. By D. T. Fish (Author of "Bulbs and Bolb Culture," "The Hardy Fruit Book," " Pruning. Grafting, and Budding Fruit Trees," &c.). In paper, price 6d., by post, 7d. Greenhouse Management for Amateurs: . Dracriptions of the best Greenhouses and Frames, with Instructions for Building them; Particulars of the various Methods of Heating: lists of the most suitable plants, with general and special cultural directions : and all necessary information lor the Guidance of the Amateur. Dlustrated. By W. J. Mat (Author of "Tine Culture for Amateurs," " Cucumber Culture for Amateurs," &c.). In cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d„ by post, 8s, 9d. Jn extra gilt, gilt edges, price 4s,i by post, 4b. Sd. Practical Handbooks, Published at 170, Strand, W.C. Arboriculture for Amateurs: Being iBstnictions for the Flanting and Cultivation of Trees for Ornament or Use, and selections and descriptions of those suited to special requirements as to Soil, Situation, &o. By William H. Aelbtt (Author of " English Trees and Tree Planting," &o.). In cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d., by post, 28. 8d. Cucumber Culture for Amateurs : IncludiDg also Melors, Vegetable Marrows, and Gourds. UluBtrate*!. By W. J. May (Author of " Vine Culture for Amateura," ** Greenhouse Management fur Amateurs"). , ^ , ,, In paper, pnce Is., by post. Is. Id. • >3 W»« SPOUTS AND PASTIMES. Country Pocket Book and Diary (1881) ; For Bererence and Begistration. Full of facts and forms of the sreatest value and interest to Country Gentlemen and Sportsmen. Contents: Diaries and Information on Shooting, Fishing, Hunting, Athletics, Football, Bicycling, Coursing. Bacing, Dogs, i:*oultr> Exhibitions, Bowing, Swimming, Meteorologyt Cricket, Parliamentary Papers, &c,, &c., with Pockets, Pencil, &c., complete. Prices: In russia leather, Ss. 6d.; roan,Ss. 6d,i postage, 2d. Bieydlist's Pocket Book and, Diary (1880-81) : For Bef erence and Begistration. Full of facts and forms of interest to Bicyclists. Price, roan, 2a. 6d., postage, 2d, Bicycles and Tricycles of the Year 1880 : Being a Chronicle of the New Inventions and Improvements for the present Season, and forming a PermaneEt Record of the prepress in the manufacture of BicycleB and Tricycles. Designed also to assist intending purchasers in the choice of a machine. luustrated. By Habby Hewitt Gbiffin. In paper, price Is., by (post. Is. Id. The Bicyclist's Guide to Machines and Makers : Shewing at a glance the construction and price of every machine in the market. By RoBEBT EnwABD Phillips, D.B.C, C.S.B.O., B.T.C. Price 6d., by post, 6Ad. Practical Trapping : Being some Papers on Traps and Trapping for Vermin, with a chapter on general bird trapping and snaring. By W. Cabnegie (" Moorman"). Price Is., by post. Is. Id. Practical Fisherman : Dealing with the Natural History, the Legendary Lore, the Capture of British Freshwater Fish, and Tackle and Tackle Making. Beautifully illustrated. By J. H. Eeene. In cloth gilt, gilt edges, price lOs. 6d„ by post, lis. ; also in 16 monthly parts, price 6d., by post 6id. Notes on Game and Game Shooting: Miscellaneous observations on Birds and Animals, and on the Spoit they afford for the Gun in Great Britain, including Grouse, Partridges, Pheasants, Har^, Rabbits, Quails, Woodcocks, Snipe, and Rooks. By J. Manlet. M.A. (Author oi *' Notes on Fish and Fishing"). Illustrated with Sporting Sketches by J* Teuflb. ^ In cloth gilt, 400 pp., price 7b. 6d,, by post 7s. lOd. Practical Boat Sailing for Amateurs : Containing Particulars of the most Suitable Sailing Boats and Yachts for Amateurs, and InstTuctions for their Proper Handling, frc. Illust^'ated with numeroas Di^. grams. By G. Christopher Davies (Author of " The Swan and her Crew," Ac,), In cloth silc, price 5s., by post 5s. Sd. Practical Handbooks. — Sports and Pastimes {continued). Praetieal Photography : Being the Science and Art of Photography, Developed for Amatenrs and Beginners. lUnatrated, By O. E, Wheeled, [fllay aleo be hod in parts as anderj : In cloth gilt, price 48., by post. Is. 4d. Wet Collodion Process: The Art of Photography by this process, developed for Amateois and Beginners {Seing PaH I. of ** Practical PJiotography") In paper, price is., by poet. Is. 2d. Dry Plate Photography : The Art of Photography by this Proceas developed for Amatenrs an^ Beginners. {.Being Part //, of "Practical Photography*') In paper, price Is., by post. Is. 2d. Photographic Miscellanea {Being Part HI. of ** Practical PJiotography") In paper, price Is., by post Is. 2d; The Photographer's Pocket Book: Containing Register for nearly KiOO Negatives. Compiled by O. E Whebleb (Author of " Practical Pnotography "}. Prices : In cloth, 3s. ; in leather Ss. 6d. ; by post, 2d. extra. Leather Work Book: Containing Fall InstmctiODS for Making and Ornamenting articles so as to BQccessfnliy imitate Carved Oak; specially written for the use of Amateurs. By BosA Baughan. Illustrated. In cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d., by post, 2s. 9d. Cards and Card Tricks: Containing a brief History of Playing Cards : Fall Instmctions, with lUnstrated Hands, for playing nearly all known games of chance or skill, from Whist to Napoleon and I^tience, and directions for performing a nomber of amusing Tricks. Ulnatrated. By H. E. Beatheb. 1ji eloth gilt, price 5s., by post, 5s. 4d. Sleight of Hand: Being Minute Instructions by the Aid of which, with proper practice, the Neatest aad most Intricate Tricks of Legerdemain can be sacceBsfully performed. Illus- trated. By Edwin Sachs. [May also be had B^ ™*"''''' •• ^■'W'"'' I«ndon, on remitting Post-offloo Or^r «i.» R^f^'^P^^T-^f "'™«t°l to ask for Latreille's Excelsior Lotion, and refuse anything ™rf«« iS?LiS„°. „1?" 2* *''° enonnqns sueoese, »rtending over twenty years, has led to many 2fSS,i?TS?^°5> "?? ""^ only disappomt. The titfe "EXCELSIOB toTION" is a registered Trade Mark, to copy which wiU incur criminal prosecution. ° " uuii-vu is b G. REES' Pictures For Furnishing, For Presents, For Tra ding, G. R. has always a large Selection of First Class ENGRAVINGS by the Best Masters, GHROMOS by Popular Artists, OLEOGRAPHS after the Old and Modern Painters. At Prices which place " AET ' ' within the reach of all Classes. Sporting Pictures of CELEBRATED WINNERS, 15s. each. Coloured by Hand, JOCKEYS UP, Size, 34iii. by 24in. POX HUNTS, STEEPLECHASING, and PICTURES of every Description. ♦ Cr. R. has always for Sale and Exportation, SPECIAL PARCELS of Pictures bought at Great Eednotion, which he offers exceptionally cheap. ENGRAVINGS in Parcels, From 4 to 10 for 21s. GHROMOS in Sets, From 4 to 12 for 21s. OLEOGRAPHS in Series Of 6 to 8 for 21s. ALL NEW. Eiconted in the best manner, suitable tor Drawing Room, Dining Boom, Sitting Boom, Parlour, Htndy, Bed Boom, Nursery, &o., &o. All persons remitting any amonnts, say £5 or £10, will receive full value, and an extra cash discount will be added. In orders, please state what kind of subject is preferred, whether Historical, Beligious, or Landscapes. Savoy House, GEORGE REES, US, Strand. WHOLESALE DEPOT — 41, 42, & 43, EUSSELL ST.. COTENT GAEDEN, LONDON. Why Does Hair Fall Off? ^ From many causes. Sometimes from looaJ disturbing agencies, such as sickness ; sometimes from neglect in cleansing; but more frequently from decay in tlie saps and tissues which supply each ^'-J'l^:^Mm^P^~^ -^^ individual hair. In such case, OLDRIDGE'S BALM OF COLUMBIA Is an excellent corrective of the many insidious sources of decay which ruin nature's chief ornament. It stimulates, strengthens, and increases the growth of Hair ; softens and nourishes it when grown ; and arrests its decline. Besides this, it acts on those pigments the constant supply of which is essential to the Hair retaining its colour. The Hair of the Head and the Whiskers and Moustachios Are alike benefited. For children it is invaluable, as it forms the basis of a magnificent Head of Hair, prevents Baldness in mature age, and obviates the use of dyes and poisonous restoratives. ESTABLISHED UPWARDS OF SIXTY YEARS. (A sufficient guarantee of its effi^iacy). Sold by all Perfumers and Chemists at 3s. 6d., 6s., and lis. only. Wholesale and Betail by the Proprietors, C. & A. OLDRIDGE, 22, Wellington St.. Strand, London, W.C. B^LlSi: OF COLUMIBI^. Established Upwabds or Sixty Yeabs.