THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 89 



ments in each, fourteen inches square. On a level 

 with the tables, each of which is designed to be two 

 feet wide, and extending three feet above the ground, 

 let there be cut through the partition between the lay- 

 ing and sitting apartments, an aperture the whole 

 length of the rooms, ten inches high, or sufficiently 

 large to receive these nest boxes, or drawers, so that 

 one half of each will be in the laying room, and the 

 other half in the sitting apartment, leaving a space 

 nine or ten inches wide on each table for the hens to 

 alight upon, and deliberately enter their nests, without 

 breaking their eggs. When a- hen is disposed to sit, 

 the eggs may be put under her, and one or two nights 

 after, the ends of the nest box may be shifted, so that 

 she will be in the sitting room, where she may remain 

 in perfect quietude till she hatches her brood. It is 

 not at all required to have as many -nests as hens, as 

 one might suppose, because they have not all occasion 

 to occupy them at the same time ; besides, they are so 

 far from having a repugnance to lay in a common 

 receptacle, that the sight of an egg stimulates them to 

 lay. It is true, nevertheless, that the most secluded and 

 darkened nests are those which the hens prefer, particu- 

 larly when they are inclined to sit. T herefore, it would 

 be advisable to set up around and between the sitting 

 boxes, small bundles of corn stalks, faggots, or straw. 



SELECTION OP THE COCK. 



" THE courage of the cock," says a modern writer 

 on Ornamental Poultry, " is emblematic ; his gallantry 

 admirable ; his sense of discipline and subordination 

 most exemplary. See how a good game cock, of two 

 or three years' experience, will, in five minutes, restore 

 order in an uproarious poultry yard. He does not use 

 harsh means of coercion, when mild will suit the pur- 

 pose. A look, a gesture, a deep, chuckling growl gives 

 the hint that the turbulence is no longer to be per- 

 mitted ; and if these are not effectual, severe punishment 

 is fearlessly administered. Nor is he aggressive to birds 

 of other species. He allows the turkey to strut before 



