66 rARMI>^G FOR LADIES. [chap. hi. 



quently to peck each other's eyes out ; and 

 they are so troublesome to the other poultry, 

 that the race is now seldom used except for 

 crossing with fowls of a different breed : 

 neither are they esteemed either as good 

 layers or steady sitters ; nor is their carcass 

 very large. Still, however, the delicacy of 

 their flesh is so superior to all others, that 

 they are in high request for the table ; and 

 they are sometimes, therefore, bred in separate 

 courts. One gentleman with whom we are 

 acquainted, breeds no other sort, and makes 

 no complaint of their not rearing a fair aver- 

 age number of chickens, though a few of 

 them are blinded, and occasionally one or 

 two killed ; but, to an epicurean palate, the 

 flavour of their meat, when dressed, is cer- 

 tainly most excellent. The eggs are all more 

 high flavoured than those of common hens, 

 and by most persons preferred, though some 

 consider them wanting in delicacy. 



In order to check the mettlesome dispo- 

 sition of these turbulent cocks, it has been 

 recommended by a' French writer, "to put 

 their foot through the middle of a bit of 

 leather in a round shape ; when," as it is 



