160 THE COCHIN CHINA FOWL. 



answers so well. So, we will quote the song of Hecate, and 

 chant over the poultry yard, 



"Black spirits and white, 



Red spirits and grey, 

 Mingle, mingle, mingle, 

 You that mingle may." 



Another Chinese Cock, as the old naturalists would an- 

 nounce it. Dr Bevan, of Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire, has 

 favoured me with the following : a I only commenced keep- 

 ing Fowls last year, (1847,) when a hen, purchased for the pot, 

 stole a nest in the field. Having heard of a particular breed, 

 brought from China as a present to the late Sir Robert 

 Vaughan, which were said to be capital layers, very much dis- 

 posed to become fat, with the flesh delicately white, approach- 

 ing in flavour to that of game, I begged the favour of a few 

 Eggs, and was able to rear two Cocks and two Hens. When 

 hatched, and for several weeks afterwards, they looked more 

 like young Ducklings than young Chickens, and their feathers 

 were pushed forth so slowly that, even when a month old, 

 there was very little appearance of wings, and none of tails, 

 and it was another month before they were able to fly half a 

 yard high. The two brothers continued very amicable till 

 they were six or seven months old ; at that age, the strongest 

 began to tyrannize, so I gave him to a friend. The Hens 

 began to lay when between five and six months old, and they 

 have continued to lay almost daily ever since. The Eggs, at 

 first, were very small, but have been slowly increasing, and 

 at this time they weigh about an ounce and a quarter; one 

 Hen lays perfectly white Eggs, the others are cream-coloured, 

 and both are of a dumpy oval shape. The Hens still retain 

 a somewhat peculiar appearance, having stout legs and thighs, 

 and being almost as broad as long. The tails continue short, 

 not half the usual length ; but the Cock, who is a very fine, 



