266 THE GAME FOWL. 



excellent ; and so they are, as containing calcareous matter for 

 the shells of eggs. But crushed bones are as good for this, and 

 better, for the Fowls will devour them ravenously and much 

 better in another respect. Any one who has undertaken to pound 

 a fresh bone, must have noticed that in three or four slams 

 he almost hammered it into meat. In fact, it contains a large 

 amount of marrow, or greasy substance. Hence, the double ad- 

 vantage of feeding pounded bones to Hens in " wintry weather/' 



As a general rule, April is the best month for Eggs, and 

 December the worst. They might be ranged in this order : 

 April, May, March, June, July, February, August, September, 

 January, October, November, December. Of course, this 

 arrangement would be much modified by circumstances. If 

 Hens are encouraged to sit as early and as often as possible, 

 the products of May, June, and July would be much reduced. 

 And if many early spring Pullets are kept, the yield of 

 October, November, and December will be vastly increased. 



I enclose you not only a good likeness of the Fowl, which 

 I promised you, but a most excellent picture. It was done 

 by Dr. Robert B. McCay, and is the first Chicken that ever 

 sat for him. Is it not admirable ? You already have a full 

 description of the Fowl, in my last letter. The Doctor has given 

 him the spurs of eighteen months, instead of those of seven or 

 eight months; but this is the only noticeable error, and easily 

 corrected. I wish you could return me the portrait, when 

 you have done with it. 



I fear from the looks of my other engagements, that this 

 must be the last of my contributions. I regret sincerely 

 that the agreeable task is done ; and if I had had more leisure, 

 my efforts should not only have been better finished, but mere 

 numerous. As it is, you are entirely welcome to them. And 

 believe me ; for the present, 



Your very tired and sleepy friend, 



DAVID TAGGART. 



