120 Hamhurgs. 



three years old. '^As a general rule," says Mr. Baily, 

 '* no true bred Hamburg fowl has top-knot, single comb, 

 white legs, any approach to feather on the legs, white tail, 

 or spotted hackle." The white ear-lobe being so charac- 

 teristic a feature in all the Hamburgs, becomes most 

 important in judging their merits. Weight is not con- 

 sidered, but still the Pencilled cock should not weigh less 

 than four and a half pounds, nor the hen than three and a 

 half; and the Spangled cock five pounds and the hen four. 



The Hamburgs are most prolific layers naturally, with- 

 out over-stinmlating feeding, surpassing all others in the 

 number of their eggs, and deserve their popular name of 

 " everlasting layers." Their eggs are white, and do not 

 Aveigh more than 1^ ounce to If ounce each ; and the 

 hens are known to average 240 eggs yearly. Not being 

 large eaters, they are very profitable fowls to keep. The 

 eggs of the Golden-spangled are the largest, and it is the 

 hardiest variety, but the Pencilled lay more. The Black 

 variety produces large eggs, and lays a greater number 

 than any known breed. 



They very seldom show any desire to sit except when 

 they have a free woodland range, for even if free it must 

 be wild to induce any desire to perpetuate the species, and 

 they never sit if confined to a yard. The chickens should 

 not be hatched earlier than May, but in the South of 

 England they Avill do very well if hatched by a Cochin- 

 China hen at the beginning of March. They are small 

 birds for table, but of excellent quality. 



Hamburgs do not bear confinement well, and will not 

 thrive without a good run ; a grass field is the best. 

 Being small and light, even a ten-feet fence will not keep 

 tliem within a small run. They may indeed l.)e kept in a 

 shed, but the number must be very few in proportion to 

 its size, and they must be kept dry and scrupulously clean. 

 They are excellent guards in the country, for if disturbed 

 in their roosting-place they will make a great noise. 

 The breed has improved in this country, and British bred 

 fowls are much stronger than the imported birds. 



