526 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



RUSSIANS. 



THIS breed was formerly extensively reared in Scotland, and quite common in some 

 parts of England, but is now quite rare. In this country they are occasionally seen, 

 though they are mostly of the black plumaged variety. The head is of medium size; 

 the comb generally rose, though sometimes single. The eyes are full and bright, and the 

 beak short, stout, and curved; its color dark horn. They have a full, heavy beard, but no 

 crest. The body is round and compact, back broad, tapering towards the tail; breast round 

 and prominent. The tail is devoid of long sickle feathers, so common in the cock, and is of 

 medium size, and carried rather upright. The legs are a dark lead in color, though often of 

 a yellowish tinge. The plumage is a greenish-black throughout, and glossy. The skin is 

 quite yellow. 



Merits and Defects of Russians. This breed is quite hardy, and consequently 

 easily reared. The hens are good layers, though the eggs are rather small. They also make 

 good incubators and mothers. As a breed, they are small eaters, and therefore an economic 

 fowl to keep in this respect. They are also a very good table fowl. The chicks mature 

 early, grow rapidly, and breed quite true to feather. 



SULTANS. 



THESE pretty birds were first introduced into England in 1854, by Miss &quot;Watts of 

 Hamps^e^d, having been sent her by a friend living in Constantinople. They were 

 there called &quot; Serai-Taook, &quot; which translated is &quot; Sultan s fowls,&quot; or &quot;fowls of the 

 Sultan,&quot; hence ijhe English called them Sultans. They are considered by many to be the 

 most beautiful of all domestic fowls, while their gentle, docile disposition cannot fail to gain 

 the admiration and interest of those having charge of them. Like the Polish, which they 

 much resemble in many respects, they are fond of being petted, and are in habits happy- 

 tempered, brisk, sprightly, and tame, resembling in the latter respect Bantams. The average 

 weight of the cock is from four to five pounds, that of the hen about three and a half pounds. 



We insert the following description as given by Miss Watts: &quot;They rather resemble 

 our White Polands, but witn more abundant feathering, and shorter legs, which are vulture- 

 hocked, and feathered to the toes. In general habits, they are brisk and happy -tempered ; 

 but not kept in as easily as Cochins. They are very good layers; their eggs large and white; 

 they are non-sitters, and small eaters. A grass-run with them will remain green long after 

 the crop would have been cleared by either Brahmas or Cochins; and with scattered food 

 they soon become satisfied, and walk away. They are the size of the English Poland fowl. 

 Their plumage is white and flowing; they have a full-sized, compact Poland tuft on the head, 

 are muffed, have a good flowing tail, short, well-feathered legs, and five toes on each foot. 

 The comb is merely two little points, and the wattles are very small. We have never seen 

 fowls more fully decorated, full tail, abundant furnishing in hackle, almost touching 

 the ground, boots, vulture-hocks, beard, whiskers, and full round Polish crest. They are 

 pure white, and so beautiful that it is to be hoped that amateurs will procure fresh importa- 

 tions before they disappear from among existing kinds.&quot; 



Such was the description of these little fowls when first imported into England so many 

 years since, and which describes them so well to-day, showing that they have been bred with 

 care. The beard is close around the throat, crosses the face and joins the crest, which is quite 



