206 THE SPANISH FOWL. ' 



Black Spanish as my preference, and shall keep but one other 

 breed for sitters. I am not inclined to disparage other breeds, 

 (and I assure you the organization of our society in New Eng- 

 land, with its exhibitions, has excited an interest which renders 

 us somewhat sensitive upon this subject,) but 1 am satisfied 

 that, if persons interested will confine their attention to some 

 one favourite breed, avoiding a too frequent propensity for cross 

 breeding, we shall soon establish the fact, that there is no de- 

 scription of stock more susceptible of improvement than our 

 Domestic Poultry, and shall convince those who are somewhat 

 inclined to smile at our hobby, that the ordinary barn-yard 

 Fowl is of comparatively little value. 



Respectfully yours, 



FRANCIS BLAKE. 



Mr. Dixon says : The Spanish breed is, in all probability, of 

 ancient and remote origin, and does really seem to have reached 

 us from the country after which it is named. In North Devon 

 they call the Spanish Fowls " Minorcas ;" others call them Por- 

 tugal Fowl. Neither term removes them far from their old-esta- 

 blished location, if not their original home. It is a noble race of 

 Fowls, possessing many great merits ; of spirited and animated 

 appearance, of considerable size, excellent for the table, both in 

 whiteness of flesh and skin, and also in flavour, laying exceed- 

 ingly large Eggs in considerable numbers. Among birds of its 

 own breed it is not deficient in courage ; though it yields with- 

 out showing much fight to those which have a dash of game 

 blood in their veins. It is a general favourite in all large 

 cities, for the additional advantage that no soil of smoke or 

 dirt is apparent on its plumage. The thorough-bred birds of 

 the fancy should be entirely black, as far as feathers are con- 

 cerned, and, when in high condition, display a greenish metallic 

 lustre. The combs of both Cock and Hen are exceedingly 

 large, of a vivid and most brilliant scarlet ; that of the Hen 



