246 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



often weighs more than it appears to do. It stands tall, with very up- 

 right gait'. The legs are long, the thighs are remarkably long, strong, 

 and firm; and the tarsi of moderate length, round, stont, and of a 

 yellow color. The tail is long and drooping, the head snake-shaped, 

 i. e., with a great fullness over the eye, and of a flattened form above. 

 The thick comb, scarcely rising from the head, has been compared to 

 half a strawberry ; so that the natural form of comb a little resembles 

 that of the game-fowl when dubbed. The neck is rope-like and close- 

 feathered, and the bird is almost without wattle. 



The Malay should have a pearl eye, and a hawk bill free from stain. 



The pullets commence laynig early, and are often good winter layers. 

 The ego- is of medium size, with a tinted shell. The chickens when 

 lialf-grown, are gaunt, ungainly looking young things, and, like many 

 choice kinds, tledge slowly. 



Height is a great point in a Malay. Old fanciers had a curious mode 

 of comparing notes upon this point. They used to hold the bird out at 

 full stietch, and measure the length, from beak to toe, on a table. Some 

 of old Mr. Castang's breed are mentioned as having measured thirty-eight 

 and a half inches. The cocks are said to have weighed from nine and a half 

 pounds to eleven pounds, and the hens from eight pounds to ten pounds. 



I have known a Spanish cock and a Malay hen produce excellent 

 fowls for the table, being large, fleshy, and well-flavored. 



The Malays are inveterate fighters ; and this is the quality for which 

 they are chiefly prized in their native country, where cock-fighting is 

 carried to the extent of excessive gambling. Men and boys may be 

 frequently met, each carrying his favorite bird under his arm, ready to 

 set to work the moment the opportunity shall cccur. 



The Cochin China. — The history of the Cochin-China fowl might be the 

 history of the poultry mania, an excitement which rivaled manias of 

 greater importance in its strength. They were introduced some time 

 about the year 1845, and soon became known and popular. Their large 

 size, in the eyes of most persons, their handsome appearance, the bright- 

 ness of their colors, the number of their eggs, and their gentle, quiet 

 disposition, soon made their way ; they were much liked, and were 

 bought eagerly at from three to six dollars each ; at that time a 

 very high price for a fowl. Cochin China hens are excellent layers of 

 medium-sized eggs, which they produce in great abundance at the season 

 when they are of greatest value. The chickens, if bred from mature 

 birds, are exceedingly hardy ; and the fowls are of quiet, domestic habits, 

 and easily kept within bounds. A first-class fowl should be compact, 

 large, and square-built; full in the chest, deep in the keel, and broad 

 across the loins and hind quarters. The best in form are as compactly 

 made as Dorkings. The head is delicately shaped, with a short bill, and 

 the comb fine in texture, rather small, perfectly single, straight, and 

 equally serrated; the wings small and closely folded in, the tail short, 

 and carried rather horizontally ; the legs very short, yellow (according 

 to rule) and heavily feathered. This fowl has, however, lost its earlier 

 popularity, and is now generally discarded by good poulterers, being 

 lound a voracious feeder, and yielding a comparatively small return for 

 the food consun]ed. 



