CURIOUS CROSSES. 83 



these birds from a Finn, confined it in a roomy coop, 

 and that some days afterwards he introduced to it a 

 common speckled hen in the hopes of obtaining a 

 breed between them. At first the Black-Cock evinced 

 great displeasure, for he not only gave the stranger a most 

 ungracious reception, but actually maltreated her. By 

 degrees, however, his dislike diminished, and at length he 

 received in good part his allotted partner, and pairing 

 took place between them. When she had laid ten eggs, 

 and shown an inclination to " sit," the Black-Cock was 

 removed from the coop, and she was placed on the eggs, 

 and in due -time seven chicks were produced. At first 

 these had a difficulty to walk, and their legs were there- 

 fore bathed with brandy ; but afterwards they throve 

 well and grew rapidly. When full feathered, they most 

 resembled the mother in colour, all being speckled ; their 

 tails were also of the same shape as hers, but their feet and 

 legs most resembled those of their father. The heads of 

 all were provided with a broad comb. They were females, 

 and proved good "laying hens." 



Again : " People of undoubted veracity have assured 

 me," writes the late Cornet Carl Geijer, " that about fifty 

 years ago M. Vigelius, a clergyman in Werrneland, had a 

 Black-Cock which paired with a common hen. The chicks 

 bore as much resemblance to the father as to the mother. 

 They were of both sexes, and attained to maturity ; but it 

 was said never propagated their species." 



We read further : " That M. Hultinan endeavoured to 

 obtain a cross between the Black-Cock and the common 

 hen. At first the experiment was unsuccessful ; but at 

 length he procured a hen that had long been without a 

 mate, and was so impassioned, that even if a person 

 pointed his finger at her she would appear as if prepared 

 to receive the attentions of the cock. With this bird the 

 Black-Cock paired, and her eggs were placed under another 



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