THE POLAND, OR POLISH FOWL. 275 



usual to set their Eggs under other Hens. They fatten as 

 quickly as any other breed, and are in quality similar to the 

 Dorking; their flesh perhaps more juicy, and of a richer 

 flavour." There is an exception to almost every rule. I 

 once had a choice Poland Hen that gave me more trouble in 

 breaking up the sitting fever, and that, too, early in the 

 season, than any Hen f4 I had. In general, however, pure 

 Polands are not inclined to sit until near or after midsummer ; 

 consequently, they lay more Eggs than those that become early 

 broody. 



The Eggs of this variety are of good size, and white ; but, 

 as previously stated, they are not so rich as some others ; the 

 yolks are of a pale straw-colour, and I have known the albu- 

 minous part often to be quite watery. There is also a strong 

 tendency of the white of the crest to mingle with the black 

 of the body, and vice versa. I once saw some Fowls, said to 

 be pure, of the stock of Mr. Bement, of Albany, of a reddish 

 hue all over, from the yellow or brass marking on the butt of 

 the wing mingling with the general plumage. The result of 

 my experience is, that it is very difficult to keep the white, 

 red, and black in their appropriate places, in breeding pure, 

 well-marked Polish Fowls; but, when all are right, I know 

 no more beautiful sight of the kind on a gentleman's lawn 

 they are living, walking Japonicas. 



Mr. Dixon, and his correspondents, will tell the rest of the 

 story in relation to Polish Fowls. He says, " There is no evi- 

 dence that any breed of Fowls with top-knots was known to 

 the ancients ; but we first meet with them in the middle ages. 

 Aldrovandi, quoted by Willughby, ' in his Ornithology gives 

 us many kinds, or rather rarities, of Hens. 1. A common 

 Hen, but white and capped.' This is the Lark-crested Barn- 

 door Fowl. But Aldrovandi also gives two large spirited 

 figures, each occupying the whole of his folio page, which he 



