96 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



the family of Bustards. They are, however, genuine poultry. 

 Their general color is rich, glossy brown, deep bay ; on the 

 breast is a marking of a blackish color, and of the shape of a 

 horse-shoe ; the comb is of a medium size, serrated, but not 

 deeply so, and the wattles are double. Besides their gigantic 

 size, however, these fowl possess other distinctive characteris- 

 tics, among which I may mention, as the most striking, that 

 the wing is jointed, so that the posterior half, can, at pleasure, 

 j be doubled up, and brought forward between the anterior half 

 and the body. The birds can do this at pleasure, and the 

 appearance the manoBUvre imparts to their form, has procured 

 for them the title of Ostrich Fowl. The flesh is white and 

 delicate. The eggs laid by the hen of this variety are large, 

 of a chocolate color, and possess a very delicate flavor. They 

 are very prolific." 



In an article on the " Kulm or Malay Fowl," in the Albany 

 Cultivator of February, 1849, we find the following remarks : — 



" The celebrated Cochin China Fowls, kept in Q,ueen 

 Victoria's Aviary, are regarded by Martin, as only a sub-variety 

 of the great Malay. Valuable stocks have originated, from 

 crossing diff"erent branches of the Malay with other breeds. 

 Dickson thinks it is very probable, that the Dorking originated 

 by a cross between the Malay and the Game-fowl. A writer in 

 the Scottish Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, is of the same 

 opinion. The Jersey blue indicates a similar mixture." 



Chinese Fowls. — The Chinese fowls with which we have 

 been familiar, differ in appearance from the Cochin China 

 fowls above described, although in size and color, there are 

 some points of resemblance. The original stock was imported 

 from Canton some years since. Of these fowls, we can speak 

 with confidence. They lay well throughout the year, their 

 eggs being of a buff" or nankin color ; their flesh is good ; they 

 are peaceable in their dispositions, hardy, and easily raised ; their 

 wings are so small in proportion to their bodies, that they are 

 unable to fly over fences. And, in this connexion we would 

 observe, that, if this breed is kept, the first perch should be, at 

 the extent, not more than two feet above the floor of the hen- 

 house. 



