THE POLAND, OR POLISH FOWL. 279 



coverable only by importation from Asia. I am given to un- 

 derstand, that an attempt will be made to reproduce them here 

 'by breeding. The experiment will be interesting either in its 

 success or failure. 



THE GOLDEN POLANDS are sometimes called Gold-spangled, 

 their plumage approaching to that of the Gold-spangled Ham- 

 burghs ; but many of the finest specimens have the feathers 

 merely fringed with a darker colour, and the Cocks, much more 

 frequently than the Hens, exhibit a spotted or spangled ap- 

 pearance. Many of them are disfigured by a muff or beard ; 

 but no such birds should be allowed the entree of the Poultry- 

 yard, but dispatched at once to the fatting-coop. 



It is a question with the curious whether the muff at the 

 throat is, or is not, an original appendage to these birds. The 

 earliest figures with which I am acquainted (Aldrovandi's) in- 

 crease the difficulty, by displaying a pair of Fowls, one with, 

 and one without the muff. Albin (1736) figures a Cock " of 

 a peculiar breed, which is brought from Hamburgh by our 

 Merchants," with a short top-knot, a decided beard, and actual 

 whiskers, " a tuft of Black feathers, which covered his ear." 

 The Irish fanciers decide, that, in the same clutch of Chickens, 

 the produce of the same parents, those which have beards in 

 addition to their top-knots are to be called Hamburghs; those 

 with top-knots only, Polish. Others say, that the beard comes 

 from a cross with the Russian Fowl, which, as near as we can 

 ascertain, is a bearded Dorking. A distinct race, of which the 

 muff is one permanent characteristic, is not at present known. 

 It is a frightful appendage, and not easily got rid of, if once 

 introduced to a Poultry-yard : which makes me suspect either 

 that the original Polish were beardless, or that there were two 

 ancient races. 



The Golden Polands, when well-bred, are exceedingly hand- 

 some ; the Cock having golden hackles, and gold and brown 

 feathers on the back ; breast and wings richly spotted with 



