274 



CHAPTER XV. 



THE POLAND, OR POLISH FOWL. 



THIS Fowl is said to be quite unknown in Poland, and that 

 it takes its name from some resemblance having been fancied 

 between its tufted crest and the square, spreading crown of the 

 feathered caps worn by the Polish soldiers; The Hens I know 

 to be among the very best layers, though their Eggs are not 

 so rich and highly flavoured as some others. They are gene- 

 rally bad sitters, or, rather, are not disposed to sit until late 

 in the season. 



The best specimens are now procured from Holland; the 

 country of the Bolton Grays, Spangled Harnburghs, etc., etc. 

 The Cock weighs about 4 or 4J Ibs., and the Hen about 3 or 

 3j Ibs. The crest of a well-bred Cock is parasol-shaped, 

 hanging down over his beak and eyes, surrounded with a few 

 black feathers, and fronted by a small spiked comb. The 

 fleshy protuberance, out of which the crest grows, is usually 

 called King 'David's Crown. The wattles are very largely 

 developed; the legs are usually blue; the neck, body, and 

 tail should be black, and the butt of the wing, brass-marked. 

 The skin and flesh are white. Their form is plump and deep, 

 and the legs not very long. Mowbray says, " The Polanders 

 are kept as ornamental, but they are also one of the most 

 useful varieties, particularly on account of the abundance of 

 Eggs they lay, being least inclined to sit, of any other breed, 

 whence they are sometimes called everlasting layers; and it is 



