THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 35 



curling disappears with the complete growth of the 

 plumage. 



The hen approaches in her build more nearly to the 

 Dorking than any other, except that the tail is very 

 small, and proportionately depressed, being more hori- 

 zontal, I think, than in any other fowl. Her comb is 

 moderate-sized, almost small ; she has also a small 

 white ear lobe. Her coloring is flat, being composed 

 of various shades of very light- brown, with light -yel- 

 low on the neck. Her appearance is quiet, and only 

 attracts attention by its extreme neatness, cleanness, 

 and compactness. Her legs and thighs are thick and 

 stout. The tail short, thin, and not the usual length. 



COCHIN-CHINA HEN. 



It was stated in the London Agricultural Gazette, 

 of the 30th of September, 1848, the male birds of these 

 fowls weighed from 12 to 151bs., live weight, and the 

 hens from 9 to lOlbs. ! This, certainly, is very extra- 

 ordinary, if the account is not fabulous ; for, out of a 

 large number of cocks and hens, of various breeds, and 

 among them the Cochin-China, varying from five 

 months to four years old. not one of the former exceeded 



