182 POULTRY-HOUSES. 



cock of which, remarkable for his martial bearing, is a great 

 favourite with Prince Albert, with other fine bantams and some 

 curious crosses with grouse, and several frizzled fowl, remark- 

 able for their silky, hair-like feathers. 



The laying nests at Windsor are composed of dry twigs of 

 heather the Erica tetralix of our heaths and small brambles of 

 hawthorn, covered over with the lichen raugiferinus the white 

 lichen of our hedges, barn-doors, and park palings. These ma- 

 terials, rubbed together, by the motion and pressure of the hen, 

 emitted a light powder, the produce of the crushed leaves ; and 

 this, finding its way, between the feathers, to the skin, was found 

 to have the immediate effect of discharging the bird of every de- 

 scription of parasite. The Commissioners of Woods and Forests 

 are about to make considerable additions to this very interesting 

 establishment. 



A work on poultry would not be complete, if a description of 

 the most splendid poultry-house ever erected were omitted. The 

 following is taken, on the spot, from that of 



LORD PENfiHYN. 



The most mngnificient poultry-palace, perhaps, that ever has 

 been built, is that of Lord Penrhyn's, at Wilmington, in Cheshire. 

 It consists of a handsome, regular front, extending about one 

 hundred and forty feet, at each extremity of which is a neat 

 pavilion, with a large, arched window. These pavilions are 

 united to the centre of the design, by a colonade of cast-iron 

 pillars, painted white, which support a cornice, and a slate roof, 

 covering a paved walk, and a variety of different conveniences 

 for the poultry, for keeping eggs, corn, and the like. The doors 

 into these are all of lattice- work, also painted white, and the 

 framing green. In the middle, of the front, are four handsome 

 stone columns, and four pilasters, supporting, likewise, a cornice, 

 a slate roof, under which, and between the columns is a beautiful 

 mosaic iron gate; on one side of this gate is an elegant little 

 parlour, beautifully papered and furnished ; and at the other end 

 of the colonade a very neat kitchen, so excessively clean, and in 

 such high order, that it is delightful to view. The front js the 

 diameter or chord of a large semi-circular court behind, round 

 which there is also a cojonade and a great variety of conveniences 

 for poultry. This court is neatly paved, and a circular pond and 



