HAMBURGH FOWLS. 293 



too, vary slightly, but the difference is hardly more than would 

 be seen amongst a brood of Chickens reared from the same 

 pair of Fowls. The Creole from the south of England was a 

 very well-bred specimen, having the peculiar comb, pointed 

 behind, described and figured by Aldrovandi. 



A Golden Spangled Hamburgh Cock, from Lancashire, of 

 the sub-variety, there called " Moss Fowl," has a large very 

 double comb, pointed behind upwards, flat on the top, but co- 

 vered with small upright points ; the wattles are large, and there 

 is a small white ear-patch. The bill is short and lead-coloured; 

 feet and legs also lead-coloured. Irides, orange-brown. The 

 hackle is composed of a mixture of brown, black, yellow, and 

 green; back the same, only darker. Tail, black, glossed with 

 green, and having gray down at the base of the feathers. 

 Quills of the wings, chesnut; wing coverts, metallic black; 

 breast, and under part of the body, black. 



The Hamburghs are commonly set down as everlasting lay- 

 ers. But no strictly universal rule, that will apply without 

 fail to every case, can be laid down for Fowls, any more than 

 for men. Here, however, is decided evidence : " I have suffi- 

 cient experience of the Bolton Fowls myself, to enable me to 

 ,say that they are everlasting layers, when pure bred. My 

 father had some very handsome Fowls, a cross between them 

 and a large Poland Hen, that was slightly inclined to sit. I can 

 recommend this cross to the notice of those who wish a larger 

 breed than the Bolton. By retaining those with the largest 

 top-knots, a variety with large top-knots could soon be ob- 

 tained. (Yes, but could it be retained ?) Some of the Bol- 

 ton Gray Cocks have black tails and breasts, and others have 

 the breasts mottled black and white : when these also have 

 cream-coloured hackles, I think them very handsome. As to 

 the occasional variation in the comb, I incline to the opinion 

 that Hens more frequently come single-combed than Cocks, 

 in breedf like the Hamburgh and the Malay." J. S. W. 



25* 



