NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



91 



BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 



For the New England Farmet'. 



Mr. Cole : The fowls frojn which the engraving 

 was delineated, belong to Francis Blake, Esq., of 

 Newton Lower Falls, Mass. These fowls are, in the 

 opinion of the writer, the only thorough-bred pair in 

 this section of the country, and were exhibited on 

 the IGth day of November, 1849, at the Public Gar- 

 den, in Boston. In the foreground of the engraving 

 is introduced a pair of Black Bantams belonging to 

 Mr. Blake, for the purpose of showing the compara- 

 tive size of these two distinct breeds of fowls, and 

 how nearlj' in form and plumage they resemble each 

 other : the Avattlcs, combs, and cheek pieces in both 

 varieties are alike in color and form, the only diifcr- 

 cnce being in the comb of the Spanish hen, which is 

 drooping; the comb of the Bantam hen stands erect. 



The Spanish breed of fowls is highly prized in 

 England for its size, and the beauty of its form and 

 ])lumage. The color is a most brilliant jet black, the 

 legs and bill corresponding witli t!\e color of tlie 

 plumage; and the eggs produced by this breed com- 

 mand a greater price in the markets of London, than 

 those produced by any other breed. 



The hens of this breed are great layers, producing 

 largo and white eggs of great wciglit and of superior 

 flavor, and rarely show the least disposition to sit, 

 and when they do sit, arc represented a-i negligent 

 ^lurscs. The chicks are hardy and easily rai-e:l, of a 

 shining I'lack color except the breast, which is white, 

 as is a ring around the eyes and bill, with some 

 white spots iinder the chin ; but as they do not 

 become fully feathered until nearly full grown, they 

 should be liatchcd early in the spring. 



The following letter the writer received from Mr. 

 Blake, the owjier of the two breeds of fowls shown 

 in the engraving, S. B. MOUSE, JU. 



S. B. Morse, Jr. Esq. Sir: In the drawing re- 

 cently taken of my imported Spanish fowls and 



Black Bantams, the artist has grouped them together, 

 for the purpose of showing their comparative sizes. 

 Their jet black plumage, at present in line order, has 

 a very beautiful purple and greenish metallic lustre. 

 They arc of tine form, with immensely large combs, 

 and wattles of brilliant scarlet, beautifully contrasted 

 with very large ^^■hite check pieces, or car lobm, deli- 

 cately shaded with purple ; the comb of the hen 

 drooping, while that of the cock is erect, rendering 

 his appearance qtiito dignified and regal. They are 

 considerably above the medium size, but not remark- 

 ably large. In this drawing you will notice the 

 showy serrated comb, drawn from a cock reared by 

 me during the last season, the comb of my imported 

 cock having suffered from the effects of the voyage 

 and cold. 



As layers, I believe all writers arc agreed, that 

 their character is unsurpassed, Avhcthcr the number, 

 size, or richness of their eggs is considered. 



" As table birds," says llichardson, " they hold a 

 place in the very first rank, their flesh being partic- 

 ularly white, tender, and juicy, and the skin possess- 

 ing that beautifully clear white hue, so essential a 

 requisite for birds designed for the consumption of 

 tlie gormand." "They are, besides, prolific, ex- 

 tremely easily fed, and in short, I know of no fowl 

 I would rather recommend to the notice of the 

 breeder." 



During the three years I have had this breed, the 

 hen has -'■inifestcd no inclination to sit, laying 

 almost consPanti'y. I^\ breeding, it will he necessary 

 to employ some other vs .,\f.ty as mothers, for which 

 purpose I would recommei:tf -"^he Dorking. 



The little l^lack Banta»>'-.'\"'mctimes styled the 

 African Bantam, bui,-vhicU^\. "'.'^late as the Dwarf 

 Spanish, are almost perfect ml. Allure counterparts of 

 the Spanish, and may, I think, be regarded as the 

 fowl fancier's ''bean i(k-al," so far, at least, as beauty 

 is concerned ; and if the accounts of tho superior 



