CURIOUS CROSSES. 83 



these birds from a Finn, confined it in a i-oomy coop, 

 and that some days afterwards he introduced to it a 

 common speckled hen in the hopes of obtaining a 

 breed between them. At first the Black-Cock evinced 

 great displeasure, for lie not only gave the stranger a most 

 ungracious reception, but actually maltreated her. By 

 degrees, however, his dislike diminished, and at length he 

 received in good part his allotted partner, and pairing- 

 took place between them. When she had laid ten eggs, 

 and shown an inclination to "sit," the Black-Cock was 

 removed from the coop, and she was placed on the eggs, 

 and in due time seven chicks were produced. At first 

 these had a ditfi.culty to walk, and their legs were there- 

 fore bathed with brandy ; but afterwards they throve 

 well and grew rapidly. When full feathered, they most 

 resembled the mother in colour, all being speckled ; their 

 tails Avere also of the same shape as hers, but their feet and 

 legs most resembled those of their father. The heads of 

 all were provided with a broad comb. They were females, 

 and proved good " laying hens."' 



Again : " People of undoubted veracity have assured 

 me," writes the late Cornet Carl Geijer, " that about fifty 

 years ago M. Vigelius, a clergvman in Wermeland, had a 

 Black-Cock which paired with a common hen. The chicks 

 bore as much resemblance to the father as to the mother. 

 They were of both sexes, and attained to maturity ; but it 

 was said never propagated their species." 



We read further : " That M. Hultman endeavoured to 

 obtain a cross between the Black-Cock and the common 

 hen. At first the experiment Avas unsuccessful ; but at 

 length he procured a hen that had long been without a 

 mate, and was so impassioned, that even if a person 

 pointed his finger at her she would ajipear as if 2:)repared 

 to receive the attentions of the cock. With this bird the 

 Black-Cock paired, and her eggs were placed under another 



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