THE PHEASANT-MALAY FOWL. 175 



feathers are longer than those of a Fowl, although not shaped 

 like a Pheasant's j and the tail itself is carried more erect than 

 a Pheasant's, 



" It has always been my impression, that the production of 

 such a creature, however much coveted as a curiosity, will 

 always be regretted, when its tame, stupid, listless air, and 

 positive uselessness, is considered in comparison with the mag- 

 nificence of the Pheasant, and the courage and beauty of the 

 Fowl. I had one of them running with common Hens for 

 two or three years. I had a basket nailed against the wall, 

 for the Hens to lay in. There was a tree close to it. The 

 unhappy Hybrid, as though aware of his anomalous position 

 in the scale of creation, and anxious to redeem it in "some way, 

 patiently waited for the Hens to lay, and then began zealously 

 to sit on the Eggs. This lasted for months ; and his (should 

 it not be ' its' ?) grief was visible whenever the Egg was 

 removed." 



The Pheasant-Malays are large, well-flavoured, good sitters, 

 good layers, good mothers, and in many points an ornamental 

 and desirable stock. Some hypercritical eyes might object to 

 them as being a little too long in their make ; but they have 

 a healthy look of not being over-bred, that would recommend 

 them to those who rear for profit, as well as pleasure. The 

 Eggs vary in size, some very large in summer, smooth but not 

 polished, sometimes tinged with light-buff, balloon-shaped, and 

 without the zone of irregularity. Six Eggs in December, 1847, 

 weighed very nearly twelve ounces. The Chickens, when first 

 hatched, are all very much alike j yellow, with a black mark 

 all down the back. The Cock has a black tail, with black on 

 the neck and wings. 



I have been favoured with a communication from Mr. A. 

 Whitaker, of Beckington, Somerset, whose observations on 

 domesticated birds I know to be so accurate as to render him 

 an authority. He says, " I do not feel quite certain as to the 



