Feathered Fancy

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 85, 16 May 1914, Page 5

Feathered Fancy

OUR SHOWS. At the last meeting of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary •fancier, requesting ' information as to the' whereabouts, of,, breeders of Houdans, Golden-Spangled Hamburgs, and Polish. It is a great pleasure to hear of enquiries for these varieties. At one • time they played arprominent part in our exhibitions, but of, later years, principally '''■. through the utility craze, they have dropped almost out of existence. There is'no doubt that pur exhibitions of the.present day are not the spectacular displays ,of years back. When we remember and Partridge Cochins, Light and Dark Brahmas, Spanish, Dorkings, all varieties of Hamburgs, Modern and Indian Game,! with their largo classes, we can only wish of their .early return to the benchesY '■ ' Houdans still have an enthusiastic fancier in ; Mr T. Breeze, of Ashburton, Unfortunately, through only exhibiting at his own show, his fancy is almost lost view of. The only way to popularise ji breed is by keeping it well before the public. To those desirous of breeding table birds, the Houdan is most useful, and in addition they are good layers. ' Golden Spangled Hamburgs are nowpoorly represented, and as for Polish I do not know of any having been recently exhibited. The black and white crested was certainly of-the prettiest birds shown* ' Bieed. from .Healthy Specimens—A point that should lie attended to is conj stitution, and to ensure the breeding of 1 hardy healthy specimens, .jiothiug biit sound birds should be used breeding pen. Birds constitutionally'weak, ami those suffering from serious deformities, such as crooked or round ! backs, also badly crooked breasts, ' should be discarded, as should birds | that have suffered from the more malignant contagious diseases, such as diptheretic roup! A good first remedy for diarrhoea, also roup, when nothing else.js handy, i olive oil 1 teaspoorit'iil,'creosote 2 drops. A few davs ago I met Mr J. Scott, of St" Martins', at one time a prominent worker for the -old- Sydenham Society. He has not exhibited for some time. Latter I v he . has : been, breeding a few Indian Game, and expects to be exhibiting at the Christchurch Show. By the wav Indian Game are evidently increasing, in .their popularity..... I believe Mr J'as. Bit tidy, of Lyttelton, intends giving then? 'another trial*-. ~.*■; New' Zealand Wliite? Licgiiorns/ are evidently getting well spieaicf throughout the world. By the Mauiiganui, which left for Sydney on Thursday,'Mr J. W> Green, of St, Albans, forwarded for transhipment to Johannesburg one male and five hens, to Mr H. N. Wheelden. Mr Green was particularly instructed to forward birds of a'large egg strain. ......

The Studholme test in connection with the Utility Poultry Club's competition has resulted as follows: —Mr W. Mercer (Auckland), first and takes £lO. Mr W. Scully (Christchurch), second, £4 ; and Mr J. A. Corrie, (Beckenham), third, £2. The dub's certificate for the greatest aggregate weight. of eggs in the second year test was won by Mr H. Leger (Weraroa). When the complete returns are to hand 'I will report further.

The secretary of the' Christchurch Poultry Club was quite busy on Saturday evening taking entries for Dunedin. I understand local fanciers will be represented with some 100 exhibits.

(By "GRIT."

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Poultry Club will be held at thenrooms 1 on Tuesday evening. T regret to hea'ii|irat : W* J; B. White, of Musselburgh, ;Dune3i»,hds had the misfortune to lose one of his imported Silver Wyandotte "hens. Mr W. J. S. Tattersfield of Dunedin, recently landed one pair of Magpies, 2 pairs of Blondinettes, 1 pair of Satinettes, and 1 pair" of Turbits. He has three further pairs to arrive. At the meeting of the Importing Club on Thursday evening six new members elected. In speaking to Mr Ambrose Johnstone, at one time one of our largest fanciers, he informed me that he still keeps in the fancy, with Indian Game, Modem and Old English Game, White Chatting and the Importing Club. He mentioned that he would like to see some Brown Red Game brought out. A Blue Chequered Dragoon was handed to Mr F. Kingsford, the secretary of the Christhcurch Homing -Society. He took the bird Home, but it died almost immediately. It was rung with the MC S ring No. 88, 1012-13. The bird had evidently done some -battling about as it was in very poor condition. During this last week, a stray Black Magpie has been flying about the Beckenham district. It is a fair lopking pigeon. The Pigeon Flying Race in connection with the show of the Christchurch Poultry Club, : was flown at the end of last week from, the Clarence River. It should have been from Kaikoura but in consequence of the boat arriving off there almost in the dark, the birds were carried on. Thirty-seven birds representing 15 owners competed, and the race resulted in a very close one, the winner, Mr A. Hancock's Red Seal, getting the verdict by nine inches. The winner's distance was 130 miles 780 yds airline. The club is greatly indebted to the officers of the s.s. Warrimoo for attention, and liberating the birds. The following is the result: —A. Hancock's "Red Seal," 889vds; E. Eowe's "Blue Lady,'' 889 yds; B, S. Draper's * * Toft,'' SS7yds; N. Gray's "Reindeer," 886 yds; F. Kingsford's "Cammoert" 886; F. Smith's "Miss Mona," 884; D. Thornton 's " Safe Guard," 881; W. Docherty 's < < Lily Vale,'' A. Kilday 's "'' Greys," ' 880; A. Farrell 's '' Master Surprise;" 870; E. Miles's ( ''Vocations'' BG9; C. Li Hey's "Tango," W.. Johnson's "Otio"' and J. Baiter's "Highlander." The winners will be on exhibition at the champion show of the Christchurch Poultry Club in June.

At the usual meeting of the Christchurch Homing Pigeon Society on Tuesday evening, it was decided to hold their annual show of Working Homers on June 6, at the Poultry Club's rooms, Mr R. Pounsford being appointed judge.

The Christ.church' Canary and Cage Bird Club held a very successful young bird show at their last meeting, foutclasses tempting nl entries, and the results were as follow:—Clear or invisible Ticked Yellows:—H. G. Hunt 1, G. H. Watson 2, A. R. Pengelly .'{; Variegated Yellow: J. Duncan, special, 1 and ;?, F. J. Watts 2; Clear or Invisible Ticked Bluff: J. Duncan, special, J and 2, W. J. Hampton ii; 'Variegated Buff: W. J. Hampton 1, B. Johnson 2 and .'!. The exhibits were an exceptionally good lot. Mr H. Beardsley was accordejd a Vote of. thanks forjudging.' It was decided to hold a similar show at the meeting on Wednesday next, when Mr Arthur (inpes will judge.