Varieties, 15 



established during many centuries in this 

 country. Their flesh is of the most beau- 

 tiful white, and superior to that of all other 

 breeds of domestic fowls, for richness 

 and delicacy of flavour, but the extreme 

 difficulty of rearing the chickens from 

 their natural pugnacity of disposition shows 

 itself at the earliest possible period, and de- 

 ters most breeders, excepting those wlio 

 breed for the cockpit. I have many times 

 had whole broods, scarcely feathered, stone 

 blind from fighting, to the very smallest in- 

 dividuals ; the rival couples moping in 

 corners, and renewing their battles on ob- 

 tauiing the first ray of light. On this ac- 

 count few can be reared, and as this dis- 

 position, to a certain degree, prevails in the 

 half breed, it prevents crossing with the 

 gan>e cock, othenvise a great improvement. 

 The game eggs are smaller than common, 

 fine shaped and extremely dehcate. 



Philanthropists are in the habit of de* 

 claiming much against the practice of cock- 

 pit battles, but on reflection, the cruelty 

 of that sport will be found among the leait, 



