176 FOWLS. 



principally shown in their plumage : one breed has a tuft of 

 feathers on the head ; the little Bantam has his legs covered 

 with feathers ; the Rumplets have no tail ; the Friesland 

 Hen has the feathers on her body recurved ; another breed, 

 called the Silk-hens, instead of feathers, are dressed in a kind 

 of silken hair. Some of these breeds are more curious than 

 useful. The Friesland or Frizzled Hen, as it is commonly 

 called on account of the appearance of its ruffled plumage, 

 and which does not love a cold climate, and the little Ban- 

 tam, feathered to the toe, are valued mostly for their beauty, 

 though they are delicate eating. 



The approved varieties of fowls are numerous. The 

 Dorking Fowls of England, so called from a town in Surrey, 

 near which they were raised, are among the most popular. 

 When of pure breed, they have five claws on each foot, are 

 large in the body, their color is white, and they are generous 

 layers. 



The Poland Fowls are regarded as equally valuable with 

 the Dorking, but they are less inclined to set than those of any 

 other breed. " Their color," says Professor Low, " is black, 

 their heads flat, and surmounted with a crown of feathers." 

 They are good layers. 



Among the larger breeds we find the Great Malay Fowl, 

 and the Chittagong breed, which is held now to be a distinct 

 breed from the Great Malay, and to possess more desirable 

 points, having a more capacious body, more delicate flesh, 

 and maturing earlier than the Malay variety. The Chinese 

 fowls, consisting of the Cochin China breed and the Shang- 

 hae fowls, have been successfully crossed with the common 

 domestic breeds. 



The hatching period is twenty-one days ; during this period, 

 the hen should have food and fresh water placed near her. 

 She inclines to eat but little during this time, and when she 

 has perfected her brood, she should be well fed on scalded 

 meal, boiled rice, and similar substances. 



