132 DOifESTIC AOTlfALS. [Chap. I. 



Tlic Large-Crested foiol is another old English ornamental variety, the crest 

 being larger than the Polands, and the fowls of various colors, some of them 

 ver}- brilliaut white — more dazzling than the white Guinea fowl, which gives 

 them and the liomestead where they are kept a very lively appearance. 

 When dressed for market, their appearance is very clean and attractive. 

 Their general good finalities make them favorites upon many a farm in 

 England. 



The liantamfs are also rated among the ornamental fowls. Some of them 

 are really so. The Sebrights have beautiful plumage of a delicate speckled 

 dark and golden color. There are also black, white, and nankeen colored 

 bantams. Their model is perfect and plumage beautiful, and of only about 

 a pound average weight for the hens, and one and a quarter to one and a 

 half pounds for cocks. They are great pets with many persons in England, 

 and are held at fabulous prices. The bantams are good layers, and good 

 sitters, and good mothers. Some of the cocks are very gamy. "\Yc de- 

 cidedly approve of keeping bantams as ornaments of the farm-yard. And 

 we recommend that the feather-legged variety be avoided, as they are not 

 60 neat in muddy weather ia their appearance as the naked-legged sort. 

 Tlie color is a mere matter of taste. 



The Dominique fowl is not only an ornamental variety, but a very good 

 one for overy-day jjurposes on the farm. The true color is a peculiar ar- 

 rangement of white and blue, that gives a sort of greenish tint to the 

 plumage. The combs are double ; the wattles small ; the legs white or yel- 

 low. The Pominiques are hardy ; above medium size ; very domestic ; and 

 the hens are good layers, and most excellent sitters and mothers ; the eggs 

 good size and quality, and the birds excellent for the table. 



There are many other sorts of ornamental fowls not entirely worthy of 

 i-ocommendation for domestication in this country- — among M-hich is the 

 Lankiva cock, from the East Indies, of the bantam order, but twice as large 

 as the common bantams. 



Tlic Forked-Tall cock is another India variety, something like the Bankiva 

 cock. This is a wild sort in Java. 



Sonerafs wild each is also an Indian variety, which has been attempt- 

 ed to be domesticated on account of its beautiful plumage, which is a deep 

 gray, tinged with lighter gray on the edges, M-ith deep green tails ; beak, 

 legs, and feet yellow. 



1 83. Cliickf a Coops.—" Anybody knows how to make a chicken coop." No 

 he don't. Not one farmer in ten can make a decent chicken coop. Conse- 

 quently, old ban-els and boxes are substituted. Tliey may be "good enough ;"' 

 they are not ornamental, and for ornamental poultry j'on should have orna- 

 mental coops. To make a convenient, light coop, take half or three-eighth- 

 inch boards, six inches wide, and nail them upon posts exactly like siding 

 on a house, if that is the way your house and farm buildings are sided, so as 

 to have a nuiformity. If buildings are boarded up and down with battens, 

 make coops in the same way. Board three sides close, and the other side fix 



