[Illustration: "MATCHLESS," THE CHAMPION MOUSE--SHOWING HOW THE JUDGING IS DONE.]
These exhibition cages are packed together in a live-stock box, and on their arrival at their destination are taken charge of by special stewards, who see to the feeding arrangements and place them in their right classes.
Great interest is taken in the judging of these tiny creatures, and the judge is always surrounded by an eager crowd of spectators. Usually he contents himself with a glance in the box, shaking it up if the occupant is of a lazy disposition. When it comes to taking stock of a particularly good exhibit the mouse is taken out of the cage and examined.
They are always lifted and held by their tails during this examination. In the case of it being necessary to compare two competitors, they are held on the sleeve as illustrated in our photograph of judging.
In this picture, Mr. Richards of Dursley, Gloucestershire, is seen judging two specially fine specimens, the mouse to the left being Mr. Singleton's famous champion "Matchless," one of the most perfect show mice living.
The border on the first page of this article is entirely composed of photographs of show animals, and gives a very good idea of the beautiful markings so much sought after by fanciers.
Miss Grimston owns a famous collection, which she keeps at her house in Mayfair. Each mouse is named, and the idiosyncrasies of its character are well known to its mistress. Two fine specimens are shown sitting on her hands. The mouse on the ladder is also hers.
This lady possesses a unique playground, fitted with a tiny gymnasium. The young mice are turned into this for exercise and play. It keeps them in health and coat, two very necessary conditions for show purposes.
Miss Grimston is a particularly successful exhibitor, having captured some dozens of prizes, including cups and medals. Her collection at the present time contains some forty show specimens. They are rarely home for long together. As soon as they return from one show they are off to another.
[Illustration: "WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY, THE MICE WILL PLAY."]
The exhibition cages shown in the illustration at the foot of this page are a representative collection.
Although more or less of regulation size, shape and ornamentation are left to the individual taste of the fancier.