266 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



the ordinary way. The machine was shown in 

 operation for a considerable period ; but failing at 

 length to be regarded with interest, it was removed 

 from the metropolis and forgotten. Artificial in- 

 cubation thus experienced a second revival, and has 

 been a second time consigned to oblivion. The 

 inventor of the eccaleobion stated: "With respect 

 to domestic poultry, the most nutritious of all 

 human food, this rich provision of a bounteous 

 Providence, the fecundity of gallinaceous birds, 

 is for the first time available to all Europe." 

 Such, however, has not appeared to be the case. 



One of the most ingenious methods of artificial 

 incubation practised of later years, is that which 

 has been called by its inventor* Hydro -Incuba- 

 tion, the principal feature in which, the application 

 of heat only to the upper surface of the egg, is 

 called top-contact heat. As the writer of this 

 little book paid a visit to the model farm erected 

 by the inventor of this method of incubation, it 

 may be interesting to describe the various steps 

 adopted in this place for the artificial rearing of 

 poultry. The site on which this model farm was 

 arranged is in the neighbourhood of Chiswick, 

 * Mr. Cantelo. 



