TilE COMMON FOWL. 63 



the bill peeping from uiider the wing remaining 

 unaltered, the shell (greatly thinned and 

 weakened by absorption during incubation,) 

 is at length broken in one spot ; this done, 

 the impatient chick turns gradually, almost or 

 entirely completing a revolution, the bill con- 

 tinuing to extend the fracture, which takes 

 place circularly round the large end, about two 

 thirds distant from the extremity of the small 

 end. Sometimes before the fracture is fully 

 complete the chick is enabled to make its exit, 

 completing the fracture by its endeavours to 

 push through. The length of time required 

 for this process varies from an hour to six, 

 and sometimes to twenty-four. In some in- 

 stances, when the chick is weak and is unable 

 to complete the fracture of the shell, or when 

 the body sticking to the shell prevents it from 

 accomplishing its circular revolution, the chick 

 must be cautiously extricated. After gradually 

 chipping the shell, the portions glued by the 

 hardened white or albumen to the chick, if 

 such there be, must be removed by means of 

 a pair of delicate scissors. 



" V/hen the chick," says Reaumur, " is en- 

 tirely or almost out of the shell, it draws its 

 head from under its wing, where it had hitherto 



