472 



DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



precinct. A besom was kept by the door and always used by every one who passed through 

 the yard, for the purpose of repelling the attacks of this savage bird. Many a time have I 

 tried to tire him out, knocking him over with the broom, or pushing him back against the 

 wall, but I was always tired first, and had to vacate the premises, leaving him to get on a 

 water-butt and crow forth his triumph. Sometimes he would slip past the broom, and then 

 the stroke of his spur was no trifle, feeling like the blow of a stone thrown by a strong arm, 

 and leaving a black-and-blue mark for days afterwards. 



The flesh of the Game breed is very excellent, but they are troublesome birds to keep, the 

 males always fighting among each other, and having to be separated before they are fully 

 grown. Crosses with the Game breed are common. 



An odd-looking creature is the Polish Fowl. Its head is so covered with a monstrous 

 plume of drooping feathers that its features are not more discernible than those of a Skye- 



HORNED TBAGOPAN. -I/mantis eatyia. 



terrier under his thick hair. This wealth of cranial plumage seems, however, to impoverish 

 the brain, for the large-crested Polish Fowls are generally stupid birds, and apt to meet with 

 accidents which might easily be avoided. 



The Spanish Fowl, a very fine variety, is glossy black, with a very large comb, and notable 

 for the white, naked skin below the ear. It is a very large breed, coming next in size to the 

 Cochin China, and very far surpasses that large but uncouth bird in the symmetry of its form. 

 The flesh of this breed is excellent, and as the hens are regular layers, these birds are deservedly 

 favorites among poultry owners. 



A bird whose many excellencies have rendered a town famous is the Dorking Fowl. It is 

 short-legged, round-bodied, plump-fleshed, and remarkable for having at least one, and some- 

 times two supplementary toes. The Dorking Fowls are excellent for the table, their flesh 

 being peculiarly plump and white, and the hens are remarkably prolific layers. 



Lastly comes the odd, quaint, opinionated little Bantam, with its feathered legs, full 

 breast, and bold, fearless carriage. This minikin member of the poultry tribe is, despite his 

 small dimensions, as bold as any of them, and if he thinks himself aggrieved will attack a 

 great Cochin China or Spanish cock with such spirited audacity that he will not unfrequently 



