C4i Sitting — Number of Eggs, 



of the male, as is confirmed by the circmii- 

 stance of parrots and other birds in cages, 

 laying' eggs, without the possibility of a 

 cock approaching them. According to 

 Burton, a hen being properly attended by 

 the cock for a few days, should she be then 

 separated from him, the eggs laid by her 

 during a month thereafter would be fruit- 

 ful. 



Eggs for setting should never exceed 

 the age of a month, the new^er to be pre- 

 ferred, as nearly of a size as possible, 

 and of the full middle size ; void of the 

 circular flaw which indicates the double 

 yolk, generally unproductive, nor should 

 there be any roughness or cracks in the 

 shells. Number of eggs according to the 

 size of the hen, from nine to fifteen, an 

 odd number being preferable, on the sup- 

 position of their lying more close. The 

 eggs to be marked with a pen and ink, 

 and examined when the hen leaves her 

 nest, in order to detect any fresh ones 

 which she may have laid, and which should 

 be immediately taken from her, as they, 



