204 THE SPANISH FOWL. 



the whole form is equally good ; but the scraggy, iong-legged r 

 misshapen mongrels are often met with, enough to throw 

 discredit on the whole race." 



I have seen and know enough to regard the Black Spanish, 

 in its purity, to be a truly distinct variety. A full-grown Cock 

 may weigh nearly 7 lbs.,and a Hen about 6 Ibs. The comb is 

 deeply serrated, and the wattles are very long, and the bird quite 

 free from top-knot. They are not very pugnacious. The Hens 

 are not inclined to sit, but are very good layers : Eggs large 

 and white. 



F. BLAKE, ESQ., kindly furnished the portraits, and writes 

 as follows, concerning this ancient variety : 



Boston, December IQtJi, 1850. 

 J. J. KERR, M. D. 



Dear Sir: The Black Spanish Fowls, of which the artist, 

 Mr. Durivage, has produced a most faithful representation, 

 were presented to me by James Yates, Esq., of Lancashire, 

 England, through Capt. Wm. Harrison, of the British steamer 

 Canada, in the autumn of 1847. In describing them, Mr. 

 Yates remarks : " I found great difficulty in getting the pure 

 breed at first, and I do not know of any one in this country 

 that has it except myself. In breeding them, it is better to 

 get the Dorking Hen for hatching the Eggs." 



I have seen no breed of Fowls more peculiar, and strikingly 

 attractive in its appearance, than this; and as regards their 

 laying qualities, and character for the table, I decidedly prefer 

 them to any others with which I have had experience. 



The comb of the Cock is exceedingly large, deeply serrated, 

 of a brilliant scarlet, and quite erect. . The wattles are of pro- 

 portionate size, which, with the large and beautifully white 

 ear-lobe, or cheek-pieces, and brilliant jet-black plumage, pecu- 

 liar to this variety, affords a very striking and agreeable 

 contrast. 



