8 DOMESTIC FOWL. 



sterling, as the value of this branch of commerce to Ireland^ 

 showing also, an increase of four-fold since 1835.* No return has 

 been kept of the number or value of the poultry, that have, living 

 or dead, been exported from Ireland ; but it has been ascertained, 

 beyond all possibility of doubt, that this branch of commerce has 

 been, of late years, greatly on the increase a natural consequence 

 of the introduction of the superior foreign varieties of fowl. 



By the foregoing extracts, it will be perceived that the breeding 

 and rearing of poultry, and the collection of eggs, is of much 

 more importance, than is generally supposed. The question is, 

 should we sit down quietly and permit France, to put in her pocket, 

 150,000 annually, which ought to be returnable to England or 

 Ireland, if her gentry would but promote, and encourage the 

 breeding and rearing of poultry at home, and add to the comforts 

 of the cottagers, and profit to themselves ? 



CHAPTER II. 



THE ORIGIN OF ODB DOMESTIC FOWL 



Is involved in such uncertain obscurity, I shall not trouble my 

 readers by repeating what has been so often advanced ; it is nearly 

 on a par with the assertions of some of our Savans, who under- 

 take to tell us what has occurred before the creation of man. I 

 shall therefore omit it, and proceed to detail the facts we are in 

 possession of, and commence with the description of 



THE COCHIN CHINA FOWL. 



They were presented to our most gracious Queen, and afterwards 

 bred at Windsor Great Park ; and in order to promote their propa- 

 gation, given, by Her Majesty, to such persons as she supposed 

 likely to appreciate them. I have been fortunate in procuring 

 some fine specimens from them soon after their arrival. Three of 

 the Queen's birds were exhibited at the Royal Dublin Society's 

 show, for 1846, which elicited the gold medal ; but they were evi- 

 dently crossed by the Dorking, as evinced by their general appear- 

 ance, and being partially furnished with the additional toe a 



* By the same returns, I have ascertained that the export of eggs is now nearly 

 doubled viz., bordering on A MILLION STERLING. 



