GENERAL NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1052, 16 August 1930, Page 30

GENERAL NOTES

An Interesting Exhibit.—A typical example of the law of nature in the transmission of acquired characteristics was that of the winning Blue Red Old English Game cockerel exhibited by Mr. Rex Fielder at the Auckland Poultry Show. Mr. Fielder’s cockeral has never grown a comb and yet is as perfect in head as though he had been dubbed. Iu discussing the matter with Mr. J. R. Boswell, the wellknown Game specialist, he stated that this was the first instanfce of its kind to come under his notice. Mr. Fielder’s cockerel, however, is a. striking example of the possibility of birds inheriting acquired characteristics.

A Leading South African Show. —I has-e just received a schedule of the 23rd annual open poultry show held in Rhodesia by the Bulawayo Poultry Club. There is a large poultry section consisting of 160 classes. In addition to a long list of challenge cups the club offers 60 special prizes of one guinea each.

Forty Per Cent. Increase. —Fifteen years ago, the average hen in Canada laid 50 eggs annually, according to Professor E. A. Lloyd, of the University of British Columbia. This number has now grown to 70. Thus, from extra eggs alone, Canada has produced an increased revenue of more than 200,000,000 dollars. Better liens are now adding 20,000,000 dollars each year to the total of egg revenues.

“Cage Bird Fancy” is the title of a new paper, for cage bird fanciers, published in London and edited by Mr. Crawford, the well-known breeder of canaries. The paper is 2d and is procurable from Messrs. W. 11. Smith and Company, London.

Colonel D. A. Chaytor, C.M.G.. C.8.E,. was the official representative of the New Zealand Government at the world’s poultry congress held in London.

Taranaki Egg-laying Test.—The birds in the above test have now completed the autumn and winter test. The leading bird in the whole of the competition is Gibbons Bros.’ No. 3 White Leghorn, which has laid 110 eggs, followed by A. J. Davey’s Light Sussex with 97 eggs. The third position is occupied by J. \V. Garrick’s Khaki Campbell duck with 94 eggs. The leaders iu the .remaining breeds and breeding pens are: Anconas, W. R. Lees, 5 eggs: Rhode island Reds, A. J. Lacey, S 3 eggs; White Wyandottes, Gibbons Bros.’ No. 1,7 G eggs;

Black Orpingtons, V. L. Gane, 88 eggs; Fawn and White Runner ducks, Thos. Dowthwaite, 85 eggs; White Runners, D. M. Waddell, 45 eggs. In the three-bird team test, heavy breeds, Gibbons Bros.’ White Wyandottes are leading with 203 eggs, while the same breeders’ White Leghorns in the light breeds’ section are leading with 244 eggs.