THE POLAND, OR POLISH FOWL. 283 



aviary birds, they are unrivalled among Fowls. Their plumage 

 often requires a close inspection to appreciate its elaborate 

 beauty; and the confinement and petting seems less uncon- 

 genial to their health. We would recommend persons whose 

 accommodation for Poultry is very limited, to select some 

 pretty family of Polanders, and keep them on the aviary sys- 

 tem ; when it will be found that their plumage improves in 

 beauty with almost every moult. 



But a great merit of all the Polish Fowls is this : that for 

 three or four years they go on growing and gaming in size, 

 hardiness, and beauty, especially the male birds. This fact, 

 which any amateur can verify for himself by observation, as- 

 suredly points out a very wide deviation in constitution from 

 those Fowls which attain their full stature and perfect plumage 

 in twelve or fifteen months. The similarity of colouring in 

 the two sexes, almost a specific distinction of Polish, and, per- 

 haps, Spanish Fowls, also separates them from those breeds, as 

 the Game, in which the Cocks and Hens are remarkably dis- 

 similar. An additional recommendation to the Polish is, that 

 their edible qualities are as super-excellent compared with 

 other Fowls, as their outward apparel is superior in elegance, 

 a point which is recorded here not from mere hearsay ; al- 

 though, to confirm it, Temminck quotes Sonnini's information 

 that the Polish Fowls (les Coqs huppes) are highly esteemed 

 in Egypt for the goodness of their flesh ; and are so abundant 

 in Upper Egypt as to be sold for 2%d. or Zd. each. At the 

 Cape of Good Hope this breed is equally cultivated. 



Polish Fowls are also currently reported as everlasting lay- 

 ers, which further fits them for keeping in small enclosures ; 

 but, as in the Ham burghs, individual exceptions are often met 

 "with, however truly the habit may be ascribed to the race. 

 " I only know of the Golden-spangled, Silver-spangled, and 

 Black Poland that are everlasting layers, though of the Black, 

 I believe there are -two varieties, one smaller than the other. 



