498 THH AMERICAN FARMER. 



Minorca, or Red-faced Black Spanish. This variety has long been a great favorite 

 in some parts of England, but is quite rare in this country. With the exception of the color 

 of the face, it much resembles the Black Spanish previously described, having the same 

 plumage and otherwise general appearance. It is slightly larger, however, and more hardy 

 than the Black. It is also considered the best layer of all the Spanish varieties. 



Anconas. This variety is mottled throughout in plumage, or is what is often called 

 &quot;cuckoo colored,&quot; and presents a very neat and attractive appearance. They resemble the 

 Minorcas in other respects, but are somewhat less in size generally. They are seldom seen in 

 this country, being better known in England. 



White Spanish. This is similar to the Minorca variety, except in color of plumage, 

 which is a pure white throughout. It is not considered quite as hardy as the Black, and is 

 less common. It is, however, like all pure white plumaged fowls, a very attractive bird, 

 and quite conspicuous on a green lawn. Like all the Spanish varieties, it is quite proud and 

 aristocratic in its bearing. 



Merits and Defects of the Spanish Fowls. The chief merit of this breed is in 

 egg production, which is abundant, and the eggs of large size. As we have previously stated, 

 the size of the eggs exceed those of any other breed, except the La Fleche, of the French 

 breeds. They are, however, not good winter layers, unless provided with very warm quarters, 

 such as produced by artificial heat. As a table fowl they possess considerable merit, but are 

 not equal to the Game or Dorkings in this respect. As a &quot;fancy&quot; fowl, of course, the most 

 popular will be the most profitable, since such are in greater demand, consequently the 

 Black or White-faced variety will be the most profitable of the Spanish fowls. As a breed, 

 they are rather delicate, compared with some others, and should always be provided with 

 a warm house to protect them from inclemency at all seasons. Mr. Wright says of them, &quot; to 

 send fowls of this breed to winter shows in a basket not lined, in severe weather, is almost 

 certain death.&quot; We should hope that any fancier who cared sufficiently for his fowls to 

 send them to a poultry show, would also care enough for them to send them in a manner 

 to be comfortably protected from the cold. 



FRENCH BREEDS. 



r RANGE has long been noted for its enormous production of eggs and poultry, to 

 which its fine climate is especially adapted. Probably no country in the world is 

 better suited to the raising of poultry, and no country where it is so extensively 

 produced in proportion to its population. While many of the French breeds are somewhat 

 delicate when exposed to our colder and more changeable climate, still in time they seem to 

 adapt themselves to it in a great measure, and when better acclimated, become quite hardy, 

 as the Houdans for instance, which is probably the most popular of the French breeds, 

 although the Creve Coeurs and La Fleche are rapidly gaining in favor. The principal or most 

 popular of the French breeds in this country are those already referred to, viz., the Houdans, 

 Creve Coeurs, and La Fleche, although the Breda or Guelders and La Bresse are much 

 prized in some parts of Europe, especially in England, and are well adapted to that climate. 



Houdans. This seems to be in our country the most popular and hardy of the 

 French breeds, although the Creve Coeurs are mentioned by some writers as being the one 

 most preferred in France for the quantity and quality of its flesh. They produce eggs in 

 great abundance, which are of large size and white, while they are capital winter layers, with 



