EUROPEAN" BREEDS. 149 



The cocks average about five pounds, and the hens four 

 pounds. They will always be prime favorites with a 

 large class of fanciers and village poultry- raisers. 



THE POLISH FOWL. 



There are several varieties of these ornamental fowls, 

 differing but little except in their plumage. The main 

 characteristics of each are alike, all being non-sitters, and 

 are by many called everlasting layers. As a class, they are 

 very prolific, and easily raised, feathering out and coming 

 to maturity early. They are small compared with many 

 varieties, but when full-grown weigh from ten to twelve 

 pounds per pair. They are remarkably handsome, and 

 in the yard or lawn have few superiors in beauty. In 

 rearing them tastes differ; some prefer the White-crested 

 Black, others the White and Spangled varieties. They 

 are distinguished by a crest crowning the head, which 

 gives them the appearance of a field-marshal in plumes, 

 though in illustrations this feature is somewhat over- 

 drawn. They are especially adapted to city residences, 

 the lawn, and small inclosures, and extremely domestic 

 in their habits. They seem fond of attention, and become 

 remarkably tame and fond of the society of their keeper; 

 are a hardy breed to raise, but sensitive to cold and wet; 

 require warm, dry quarters, their heavy topknots hang- 

 ing so far over their eyes as to interfere with their sight. 

 They lay a large white egg of oblong shape, very creamy 

 and rich, and for culinary uses is among the best quality. 

 But the peculiar merit consists in their tame and quiet 

 dispositions and fondness of attention, their extremely 

 ornamental appearance on the lawn, graceful carriage, 

 and the glossy and metallic lustre of their plumage. 

 They are quite liable to pick each other's crests, and 



