Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-31
LETTER FROM BOSTON.
THE PoULTRY Snow.

pearance uuIlHS tnc past week, having DccH
used for the sixth exhibition of the Massachu
sets Poultry Association. The loud growing
Of cocks could be distinctly heard square
| from the hall, and within all was hustle and
noise, people talking, ROSTERS Growing, and
birds singing. The exhibition was n very
large one, and appeared to be thought well
worth seeing, for the hall was crowded from
ten in the morning until ten at night and all
looked pleasant and interested. More chill
dren seemed TO attend this year than ever
before, and on Saturday especially, there
were hundreds of little ones discussing the
relative merits of pigeons and rabbits as they
stood before the cages. The exhibits this
year we've unusually large, both the upper
and lower halls being well filled with poultry,
pigeons, and rabbits and there were large
number of specialties which had never be-
fore been shown. Amoug the poultry was
the Black Cochin; the Partridge Cochin, the
roosters with great bronze nccks, the hens
soft looking speckled brown; the black
breasted Red Cochin, and the Spangled Game
fowls. The white game fowls were perfect
beauties, no snow that ever fell was whittier
than their plumage. There were also Blue
Game fowls, and magnificent light Brahma
cocks and hens which won the admiration of
all spectators. The Dominique, the Pckin,
the dark Brahma, the Polish in three varic-
ties, blue, white and golden, the Plymouth
Rock, very large, and specklcd black and
white, were all well represented, and it would
be difficult for one to choose which breed
should be given the preference. There were
ored muscovy ducks.
The rabbit cages received large share of
attention from the public. There were many
of the Dutch breed, some all one color, some
moulted bronze and white. There was one
fine Belgian Hare, and a large number of
Himalayan, black, lop-eared, and maltese rab-
bits. In large cage two magnificent white
Angora rabbits reposed on a comfortable bed
of straw and blinked their red eyes at the
visitors who crowded about them. The Euro
pean rabbits were as white as milk and soft
and gentle looking. Near the rabbit cages
was box containing four Abyssinan white
guinea pigs, which appeared fright
ened almost to death at the notice
they received from the hordes of small
boys in the hall There were hundreds of
pigeons of many different varieties-Dun,
Fantailed, Yellow-crested, White-crested,
Black Fan-tailed, Creamy Pigmy Poulters,
Black Notified Trumpeters, and White Jaco-
bins, these last having a tuft of feathers re-
sembling an old-fashioned ruff, encircling the
neck. There were also Red-winged Turbits,
Blue and Black Magpies, and Siver-bearded
Tumblers. The Bluc-tailed Turbits were ex-
tremely pretty, and four White African owls
attracted much attention. There were at
least forty cages of Bantam fowls of every
variety ever heard of, and the Booted White
Bantams were particularly admired. 1t real
~ appeared as if their little legs were thrust
into white boots with wide tops. On a plat
form at one end of the hall were the cages
containing the specialties. Here were seen
Belgian canaries, green and yellow parrots,
beautiful goldfnches, Brazilian cardinal birds
yellow, black, and blue spangled swallows
and on bar over the cages sat an immense
white cockatoO. In large cage in the CEN
cock Withholding but extremely beautiful
little fellow with very brilliant red and
golden plumage, and tail at least twenty
inches long. The silver pheasants had black
breasts, and silver backs, with long tails
which swept the floor of the cage. Above
them was cage containing a pair of flying
foxes. These curious little creatures were
hanging by one foot from bar and appeared
asleep. A fold of thick, black skin reached
from the fore to the hind leg of each, and
their fur is a rich brown. Near by was IL
pretty wire cage containing flying squirrel,
and case of stuffed birds of all kinds was
shown. There was also a coop containing
half dozen Silky fowls, the feathers of
which resemble long white hair.
must not neglect to speak of the Incu-
bator, about which there was always a crowd,
as is sure to be the case when curiosity is
shown. The machine resembles u safe, with
drawer in it, and in this drawer the eggs
are placed. 1t requires twenty-one days to
hatch the chickens, and then they are sent to
the "mother," which is a large zinc pan with
top, and is lined with wool At certain
intervals are small doors out of which the
little chicks can run at pleasure, into the
small yard surrounding this artificial mother.
Fitty-seven chicks were Matched during the
exhibition, and all were seemingly contented
with the woolly mother provided for them.
FLORENCE II. BIRNEY.
The National Com plant.
Dyspepsia Is the national complaint Almost every