532 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



egg-producers, as well as an excellent table fowl; the meat being very white, and the bones 

 small. They are also good mothers, the peculiar character of their plumage seeming to keep 

 , the eggs and chicks warmer than the ordinary feathering. The chicks feather so slowly, how 

 ever, that they require to run longer with the hen than most breeds. 



THE GRAY LIVONIAN FOWLS. 



THIS breed of fowls is a native of the province of Livonia, Russia, and much resembles 

 the American Dominique in its plumage, which is of a gray color, barred similar to 

 that of the latter. It is large and deep-bodied, with a broad, prominent breast. The 

 comb is low and broad, with the projecting spike; the beak dark, short, and strong, and 

 remarkably hooked, with the large cavernous nostrils peculiar to the Polish varieties. The 

 legs are of a bluish leaden color; the carriage is upright, bold, and proud. They are said to 

 be very popular and much preferred to other breeds by poulterers in Lithuania, Courland, 

 and as far north as Finland, as they are exceedingly hardy, and are possessed of a stamina 

 and constitution requisite to a cold climate. The hens are darker in color than the cocks. 



Merits and Defects Of Livonians. It is said that Denmark, which recently 

 exported over a million dollars worth of eggs, is especially favorable to this breed. They are 

 excellent egg-producers, extremely hardy, and suited to a severe climate; they are consequently 

 easily reared. Although not possessing much beauty of plumage, they are otherwise very 

 desirable, the flesh being very tender and delicate in flavor. We doubt not this breed would 

 be a very valuable acquisition to our already numerous varieties, being especially adapted to 

 our northern climate. 



T 



BANTAMS. 



diminutive specimens of poultry cannot fail to attract attention wherever seen, 

 whether in the yard or at the poultry shows, which have become such an important 

 institution in this country within a few years. They are also very popular among 

 poultry keepers, their quaint little ways, proud and strutting manner, as well as gentle and 

 tame disposition, rendering them not only comic, but interesting tenants of the poultry yard. 

 The Bantam cock is the very personification of happiness and conceit in feathers, and, as is 

 often the case with some small human specimens, bustles about with the air of self-importance 

 and superiority, combined with quick resentment at the slightest imagined insult or invasion 

 of his rights, in a manner that is intensely amusing, and as though he considered himself the 

 largest and most important of all living creatures. More especially is this true of the Game 

 Bantams, which never hesitate to attack any fowl, no matter how many times larger than 

 himself he may be. These little birds, with their ludicrous ways, would pay a fun -loving 

 person for their keeping, for simply the amusement they afford, even if for no other reason ; 

 but they are really a profitable fowl, and amply repay for all their care and expense. They 

 require but little room, are contented in confinement, and eat almost nothing compared with 

 larger breeds, while they are very good layers. 



We append the following on &quot; Bantams for Children &quot; which has been going the rounds 

 in the Agricultural and Poultry journals: &quot; Show us the boy who is fond of pets and takes 

 especial good care of them, rearing the young successfully year after year, and we can then 



