THE GALLINACEOUS TRIBES 



237 



The Bmlmias are also ponderous, but 

 they have many good qualities. They lay 

 a great number of large eggs, and their flesh 

 is very good to eat. The lighter form of 

 Brahma is undeniably one of the hand- 

 somest breeds in America to-day. Their 

 keep is expensive, owing to their enormous 

 size. The eggs are yellow and much in 

 demand. The brood is smaller than that 

 of the Cochin Chinas. They may be recom- 

 mended to those who wish to have some- 

 thing both useful and beautiful. 



The Speckled Mechlin, but little known 

 in the United States, is also a heavy weight, 

 but not more so than the Brahmas. The 

 cock weighs usually ten pounds, the hen 

 eight or nine. They are raised in great 

 numbers in Belgium, in the neighborhood 



•11^ -«^^ 



A Fine Specimen of the Cochin-China Breed 



the legs are feathered and the comb may be 

 either single or double. 



The Braekch, also a Belgian breed and like- 

 wise but little known in the United States, are 

 noted as fine layers. Though small themselves, 

 they lay large eggs and are very good brooders. 



,\ Tvi'icAL Lk.ht Hk.xhma Hen 



of Mechlin, and it is this breed that produces 

 the celebrated fat Brussels pullets. The trade 

 in these pullets is so large that some fatteners 

 send two thousand weekly to other countries. 

 The soup made from this breed is universally 

 known. The hens are good layers in winter, 

 and good brooders. Breeding for the markets 

 begins in the months of October and Novem- 

 ber, and brings in great profits. Fowls of the 

 speckled variety are most in demand, although 

 some white are raised. They e.xcite great 

 interest at poultry shows, and in Belgium 

 they have the place of honor. The cock is 

 strong and rather coarse in conformation ; 



Plymouth Rock Hen 



