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THE COCHIN-CHINA FOWL. — DORKING FOWL. 



THE COCHIN-CHINA FOWL. 



A young hen of the Oochin-China breed, when introduced among 

 the other poultry of a farm-yard, 

 was shamefully persecuted by 

 its companions. It was very 

 absurd to see the poor creature 

 pecking up a stray crumb or 

 two outside the general circle, 

 and flying in terror before a 

 little game hen, if it ventured 

 to approach too close. The 

 principal advantage of this bird 

 seems to be that the chickens, 

 from their superior size, are 

 ready for the market at an 

 earlier age than those of the 

 ordinary fowl. 



Among other distinctive 

 characteristics, these fowls pos- 

 sess one which is too striking 

 not to be mentioned. The wing 

 is jointed, so that the posterior 

 half can at pleasure be doubled 

 up, and brought forward between the anterior half and the body 

 The birds can do this at pleasure ; and the appearance the manceuvrt 

 imparts, to their form, has procured for them the title of "Ostrich fowl." 



COCHJN-CHINA TOWl. 



THK DORKING FOWL. 



This bird is highly esteemed where ever it has been bred in its 

 purity. Many spurious ones have been passed off on the uninformed, 

 and therefore the general reputation of the breed is not as good as it 

 should be. It is not a heavy fowl, at best ; but is an excellent layer, 

 the best of mothers and its meat is delicate and inviting. The aver- 

 age weight of the Dorking is about six and a half to seven pouuds for 

 cocks, and five to six pounds for hens. The bird owes its name to 

 its having been bred in a town in Surrey, England, of the same 

 appellation. Its most striking peculiarity is the having of five toes, 

 or two hind toes instead of one. The color of the Dorking is generally 

 pure white, spotted or spangled with black. These colors souietimea 

 merge into a gray or grizzle. 



This has been called the Capon Fowl of England ; and it forms the 

 chief supply of the London market. Its flesh is extremely delicate, 

 especially after caponization. Writers on poultry breeding difller 

 much in the description of the true fowl. But the following are the 

 prominent points without which the breed is impure: — "A fine head, 



