French and Various. 129 



and can scarcely have too much sun. They are excellent 

 layers of very large white eggs. 



The chickens grow so fast, and are so inclined to fatten, 

 that they may be put up at from ten to twelve weeks of 

 age, and well fattened in fifteen days. The Creve Coeur is 

 a splendid table bird, both for the quantity and quality 

 of its flesh. The hen is heavy in proportion to the cock, 

 weighing eight and a half pounds against his nine and a 

 half, and the pullets always outweigh the cockerels. 



La Fleche is thus described by M. Jacque : '' A strong, 

 firm body, well placed on its legs, and long muscular 

 feet, appearing less than it really is, because the feathers 

 are close ; every muscular part vv^ell developed ; black 

 plumage. The La Fleche is the tallest of all French 

 cocks ; it has many points of resemblance with the 

 Spanish, from which I believe it to be descended by 

 crossing with the Creve Co^ur. Others believe that it is 

 connected with the Breda, which it does, m fact, re- 

 semble, in some particulars. It has white, loose, and 

 transparent skin ; short, juicy, and delicate flesh, which 

 puts on fat easily." 



''The comb is transversal, double, forming two horns 

 bending forward, united at their base, divided at their 

 summits, sometimes even and pointed, sometimes having 

 ramifications on the inner sides. A little double ' comb- 

 ling ' protrudes from the upper part of the nostrils, and 

 although hardly as large as a pea, this combling, which 

 surmounts the sort of rising formed by the protrusion of 

 the nostrils, contributes to the singular aspect of the head. 

 This measured prominence of the comb seems to add to 

 the characteristic depression of the beak, and gives the bird 

 a likeness to a rhinoceros." The plumage is jet black, 

 with a very rich metallic lustre ; large ear-lobe of pure 

 white ; bright red face, unusually free from feathers ; and 

 bright lead-coloured legs, with hard, firm scales. They are 

 very handsome, showy, large, and lively birds, more 

 inclined to wander than the Creve Coeur, and hardier when 

 full grown ; but their chickens are even more delicate in 

 wet weather, and should not be hatched before May. They 



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