1858. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



401 



BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 



Among the various breeds of fowls which have 

 been reared in our own yard, that which is illus- 

 trated at the head of this article has not yet 

 been one. We are, therefore, only able to give 

 the experience and commendations of others. 

 They are said to possess many and rare merits. 

 Their appearance is certainly very fine. 



In an English work on Domestic Poultry, by 

 Messrs. Dixon & Kerr, it is said that a thorough- 

 bred Spanish fowl should be entirely black, as 

 far as feathers are concerned, and when in high 

 condition, display a greenish metallic lustre. 

 The combs of both male and female are very 

 large, of a brilliant scarlet, and that of the hen 

 drooping over on one side. Their most singular 

 feature is a white mark on each cheek, of a fleshy 

 substance, similar to the wattles ; which is small 

 in the hens, but large and very conspicuous in 

 the cocks. 



A full-grown cock may weigh nearly seven 

 pounds, and a hen about six. The comb is deep- 

 ly serrated, and the wattles are very long and 

 the bird quite free from top-knot. They are not 

 very pugnacious. The hens are not inclined to 

 Bet, but are good layers ; eggs large and white. 



Francis Blake, Esq., of Boston, who has bred 

 this variety since the year 1847, his communi- 

 cated his opinion of the breed to Mr. Kerr, who 

 has transferred it to a recent edition of the "Do- 

 mestic Poultry." He says : — "I have seen no 

 breed of fowls more peculiar and strikingly at- 

 tractive in its appearance than this ; and as re- 

 gards their laying qualities, and character for 

 the table, I decidedly prefer them to any oth- 

 ers with which I have had experience. They 

 are literally everlasting layers. Their peculiar 

 disinclination to set is very remarkable ; for, in 

 my experience, I have been exceedingly annoyed 

 by the constant propensity which some other 

 breeds have manifested in this respect. For the 

 period of more than three years, during which I 

 have had them, the hens have not in a single in- 

 stance manifested a desire to set." 



Richardson, another writer on poultry, says 

 that "as table birds they hold a place in the very 

 first rank, their flesh being particularly white, 

 tender and juicy, and the skin possessing a beau- 

 tifully clear white hue. They are, besides, pro- 

 lific, extremely easily fed ; and, in short, I know 

 of no fowl I would rather recommend to the no- 



