COMMON FOWLS. 131 



on at night, provided with a sort of step-ladders 

 by which the little ones may ascend, before 

 they can use their wings. The hen sits on 

 her eggs for about twenty-one days, with such 

 determined perseverance, that she will almost 

 perish on her nest, rather than remit her duty. 

 Humanity requires that these poor animals 

 should not thus be suffered to injure or destroy 

 themselves by the vain continuance of their en- 

 deavours to warm into life eggs which cannot 

 be hatched. Long after they quit the shell, the 

 young chickens find warmth and shelter beneath 

 the parent's wing ; and will even run to it, some- 

 times, when far too large to be conveniently 

 protected. 



In about three months, the chickens are fit 

 for the table, or for stores. They are com- 

 monly fattened, under coops, before they are 

 killed ; though, for my own part, I think a barn- 



