240 COMMON OR BARN-DOOR FOWL t 



hatched only nineteen between them. The old bird 

 again deserted her young, having handed over her 

 charge to the junior parent, after which she laid and 

 hatched twelve eggs, nine of which are all, at present, 

 strong healthy birds, with every promise of being 

 brought to full maturity of size. 



In the successful management of this bird, much de- 

 pends upon continued care in keeping them perfectly 

 dry and warm, particularly during wet, moist, or hazy 

 weather, with very frequent small supplies of the food 

 already recommended. When they come to be about 

 full size, they will be found to be even more hardy, and 

 stronger than other common poultry, frequently roost- 

 ing upon trees, in the open air, during the night, and 

 braving the roughest and most inclement weather with 

 impunity. 



It is 'singular, and very interesting, to contemplate 

 the quick-sightedness of the chick, about two or three 

 weeks old, in capturing flies, and all sorts of small 

 insects, as articles of food, while they are needling 

 their tiny bodies through the grass, or brushwood of 

 any kind. We were this season much amused, while 

 watching our beautiful little brood stripping off the 

 small green insects which were infesting our rose 

 bushes. 



We have already said, that we have found simple 

 food most advisable for these birds when young, and 

 we cannot refrain from deprecating the use of all 



