CHAP. III. 



[.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 77 



former estimation, they are now so much out 

 of fashion as to be scarcely ever heard of. 



The Crested breed — so called in con- 

 sequence of their being distinguished by hav- 

 ing on the head a densely tufted crown of 

 feathers of different colours, along with the 

 comb, which is usually smaller than in other 

 breeds, and some totally deprived of it — are 

 thought to have been also bred from inter- 

 crosses between Polanders and Spanish, or 

 Paduan ; but, as they are common in Egypt, 

 they have probably derived their descent 

 more directly from the East, and are more 

 esteemed in proportion as their colour is more 

 rare, or as the tuft of the crest contrasts with 

 the rest of the plumage. 



Of all these varieties, those preferred by 

 amateurs are the white ones with black 

 combs, and the black with white combs. 

 The breed fats easier than most others, and 

 the flesh is generally considered more de- 

 licate ; but however pleasing to the eye and 

 palate, they are not a profitable stock, for 

 they produce such few eggs as hardly to pay 

 for their keep, and the hens are not generally 

 bred from. 



