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CHAPTER VII. 



THE COCHIN CHINA FOWL. 



As there occurs in this chapter of Mr. Dixon's book, several 

 lists giving the weight of different kinds of Fowls, and as Mr. 

 J. J. Nolan, of Dublin, seems to regard the weights thus given 

 as ridiculously small for first-class birds, I beg to offer a few 

 remarks on the subject. When the weight of a Fowl is men- 

 tioned, I at once inquire the age, as much depends on that. I 

 had a Pullet once, a mixture of Malay, Cochin China, and 

 perhaps Shanghae, that, when she came to her first laying, 

 being then about seven or eight months old, weighed exactly 

 nine and a quarter pounds ; when she came to her laying the 

 next season, being then about one year older, she weighed a 

 fraction over eleven pounds ; and when she began to lay the 

 third season, she weighed thirteen and a quarter pounds. 

 She then passed out of my hands, but I heard during the sum- 

 mer, from the gentleman who now owns her, that, on coming 

 to her laying on the fourth season, being then between three 

 and four years old, she weighed thirteen and a half pounds. 

 Another remark I would offer in this connexion : it is important, 

 in estimating the value and size of a Fowl, on having the weighjti 

 stated, to know not only the condition of the Fowl, and the age, 

 but also the season of the year. I have found both Cocks and 

 Hens to be at their maximum weight in February : they are 

 then recruited after moulting ; the Hens are about beginning 



