PREFACE. VII 



poultry-book adapted to our climate, and the present state of 

 intelligence, is a desideratum. 



To supply this deficiency has been attempted by the author ; 

 how successfully, remains to be seen. Every pains has been 

 taken to collect important facts, and to digest in these pages 

 whatever information could be obtained. All accessible author- 

 ities have been consulted, and such use has been made of avail- 

 able materials as would best subserve the purpose designed to 

 be accomplished. To mention all the books which have been 

 laid under contribution, would be only a pedantic display ; but 

 if any failure is discoverable in giving the requisite credit, 

 it is undesigned. A vast mass of correspondence has furnished 

 many original observations, which are of great value, and are 

 not elsewhere to be found. 



Special attention has been given to the description of the 

 varieties of Fowls, and it will appear, on examination, that 

 great labor has been expended on this department; and the 

 author flatters himself that a remarkable degree of accuracy has 

 been attained. A peculiar feature of this volume, also, is, the 

 presentation of the portraits from life, which have been faith- 

 fully delineated, and engraved by eminent artists, and which 

 possess an importance and value which will be readily appre- 

 ciated. These have been produced with great care, and at a 

 large expense, and will add to the fame of F. A. Durivage, Esq., 

 from whose drawings they are taken, and are creditable to the 

 burin of Messrs. Hartwell and Marsh, by whom they have been 

 engraved. 



In all matters pertaining to the Breeding and Management of 

 Poultry, this book is designed to be a vade mecum, and the en- 

 deavor has been to present to the reader all that is necessary to 

 be known on these subjects. In no other work, it is believed, 

 can similar information be found. 



In addition to the counsel and aid furnished by the distin- 

 guished gentlemen already mentioned, I gratefully avail myself 

 of the opportunity of acknowledging my obligations to J. N. 



