122 ON POULTRY. 



and brought forward between the anterior half and the body. Thd 

 birds can do this at pleasure, and the appearance the manoeuvre im- 

 parts 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 Cul- 

 tivator of February, 1849, we find the following remarks : 



" The celebrated Cochin China Fowls kept in Queen Victoria's 

 Aviary, are regarded by Martin as only a sub-variety of the great 

 Malay. Valuable stocks have originated from crossing diflerent 

 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 ^Yriter in the Scottish Quarterly Journal of 

 Agriculture is of the same opinion. The Jersey blue indicates a 

 Bimilar mixture." 



VI. 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 origi- 

 nal 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 peacable 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. 



VII. The Dung-hill Fowl. 



*' The Dung-hill Fowl," Mr. Richardson says, " occupies in the 

 poultry-yard precisely the position of the cur-dog in the kennel, be- 

 ing, in fact, the produce of a miscellaneous intermixture of most of 

 the ordinary domestic varieties, and constantly differing in its ap- 

 pearance, with the accidents which may have influenced its parent- 

 age.'* 



Mr. Richardson is probably correct in the rank he assigns to the 

 Dung-hill Fowl, but still it is not improbable that this breed, which 



