ASIATIC BREEDS. 131 



They are of large size, with a very gentle disposition, 

 and the ease with which the Cochins are kept in confine- 

 ment makes them favorites with many poultry-raisers. 

 When full-grown the weight ranges from ten to fifteen 

 pounds; they are too heavy to fly, and a fence two feet 

 high will confine them. As sitters and mothers the 

 hens are not surpassed, and are prolific layers, especially 

 in winter, when eggs are scarce. The chickens grow 

 rapidly, and at three months are large enough for eating. 



It is true, they have some defects. The flesh is in- 

 ferior, especially of old birds. The inclination to sit 

 sometimes interferes with their greatest usefulness. This 

 tendency is developed by over-feeding. As a breed the 

 Cochins are most useful to supply the demands of a fam- 

 ily for early chickens and a plenty of large, rich eggs. 

 If the Cochins had done nothing more than to awaken 

 a general interest in poultry-breeding, their introduction 

 wouM still have been of benefit. 



Besides the Partridge, which may be either of the 

 single or Pea-comb variety, the principal sub-varieties of 

 the Cochins are the White, Buff, and Black. With 

 those who breed the White variety every feather must 

 be pure, otherwise the fowl is looked upon with disfavor. 

 The Buff Cochins may be of any shade, but the birds in 

 a flock must correspond in color. With the Blacks, it is 

 of the utmost importance that every feather should be 

 solid black. In other respects than plumage, the sev- 

 eral varieties of Cochins are very similar. 



THE LANGSHAN FOWLS. 



The Langshans are natives of the extreme northern 

 part of China, where most of the fowls, both wild and 

 domestic, are black, and where the winters are very 



